title: Parametric analysis of vehicle design influence on the four phases of whiplash motion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective is to establish a basis for motor vehicle test requirements that measure component contributions to Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Selected vehicle design features are evaluated with regard to their relative contributions to WAD measures. The motion of the occupant cervical spine associated with WAD is divided into four phases: retraction, extension, rebound, and protraction. Injury measures from the literature (NIC, extension moment, N(km), and flexion moment) represent the injury potential during each of these phases. Four vehicle design factors that affect WAD motion (vehicle stiffness, seat stiffness, head restraint height and head restraint backset) were evaluated for their contributions to the injury measures. A detailed 50th percentile male model with a biofidelic neck was used in a 100-run Monte Carlo analysis of a rear impact, varying the design factors across the values documented in the literature. Total energy was held constant and Delta V was 10 kph.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vehicle stiffness has a strong influence on the retraction (70%), rebound (43%), and protraction (47%) phases. Headrest backset demonstrates a strong influence on the extension (49%) and rebound (39%) phases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For WAD protection rating, the vehicle should be viewed as a system whereby the complex interactions among the vehicle, seat, and occupant characteristics all contribute to the WAD potential.
authors.affiliation: Crashport, Huntsville, Alabama 35816, USA.
authors.forename: Polat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sendur
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thibodeau
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burge
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tencer
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019416:Head Movements / Q000502:physiology; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D018986:Motor Vehicles; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*