Current Research Projects
Madymo modeling of a rear impact
Rear impacts account for more than 45% of vehicle-vehicle crashes (Kaneko et al., 2004) and 50% of neck injury claims (Kraft et al., 1998).
Injuries to the cervical spine in a rear impact are related to the relative motion between the torso and head of the occupant.
The objective of this study is to develop and validate a Madymo (Mathematical Dynamic Modeling) model of a vehicle occupant and
seat for use in rear impact simulations and to examine the effect of seatback characteristics on forces and moments to the cervical
and lumbar spine. Understanding the forces and moments in a vehicle occupant's spine during a rear impact could play a pivotal role
in the design of protective systems, for example head restraints.
Furthermore, the data could be used to improve current designs of rear impact crash test dummies.
