Modal and dynamic responses of the human head-neck complex for impact applications

Abstract

The human head-neck is the most complex structure in the human body and its behavior under vibration remain poorly understood. Therefore, a comprehensive theoretical or experimental analysis is needed. This study is mainly based on an available finite element human head-neck complex and concentrates on its modal and dynamic responses. Resonance frequencies and responses of the human head-neck complex’s finite element model in impact simulations have been analyzed. These dynamic responses show a very good agreement with the previous studies. The fundamental frequency of modal analysis of finite element model is 35.25 Hz which is reasonably close to existing literatures. However, our modal dynamic analysis of an elaborated human head-neck complex introduces supplementary dynamic responses like nasal sideward cartilages’ “flipping” modes and the mandible’s “mastication” modes. Modal validation is performed which indicates a requirement for elaborated modeling to make out all the extra resonance frequencies. Moreover, the influence of damping factor on biomechanical response or natural frequencies is also investigated. It can be found that damping factor has got an inverse proportionality between damping factor effect on natural frequency and that on biomechanical responses. This demonstrates the significance of identification of the suitable damping factor evaluating biomechanical response in modal dynamic analysis and validation. © JVE INTERNATIONAL LTD.