Abstract des Autors

This paper presents a description of a general-purpose nonlinear model of the human body. The model is developed to simulate human response to high force and high acceleration as typically experienced in vehicle accidents. The model is composed of connected bodies of segments representing the torso and limbs of the human frame. Nonlinear springs and dampers are used at the connection joints to represent human anatomical characteristics and limits imposed by muscles, ligaments, and soft tissue. The governing dynamical equations are developed using Kane's equations (Kane & Levinson, 1985) and multibody dynamics analysis procedures developed by Huston et al. (1974, 1975, 1978). These equations and procedures form the basis for the algorithms of a computer code. The equations are solved numerically using a fourth-order Runge-Kutta integrator. The results of several accident simulations are also presented. Verf.-Referat