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This paper describes the development of an improved neck simulation that can be adapted to current anthropometric dummies. The primary goal of the neck design is to provide a reasonable simulation of human motion during impact while maintaining a simple, rugged structure. A synthesis of the current literature on cervical spine mechanics was incorporated with the results of x-ray studies of cervical spine mobility in human volunteers and with the analysis of head-neck motions in human volunteer sled tests to provide a background for the design and evaluation of neck models. Development tests on neck simulations were carried out using a small impact sled. Tests on the final prototype simulation were also performed with a dummy on a large impact sled. Both accelerometers and high-speed movies were used for performance evaluation.

This paper discusses the development of adequate criteria and evaluation methods for seat belt restraint design. These criteria should include the effect of seat belts in abdominal injury as well as head injury. It is concluded that belt load limiters and energy-absorbing devices should limit head-to-vehicle contact, ensure that the lap belt maintains proper contact with the bony pelvic girdle, and limit the belt loads. Studies are made of pulse shape and belt fabrics. Currently available mathematical models are used for the studies included in the paper.

The general objective of the whole-Body Response (WBR) research program was to generate data on the kinematics and response of human surrogates in a realistic automobile impact environment. The program used a test configuration consisting of an idealized hard seat representation of a car seat with a three-point harness restraint system. Three different severity levels of crash test conditions were used. The human surrogates tested in this program were fifteen male cadavers*, a Hybrid II (Part 572) Anthropomorphic Test Device and a Hybrid III ATD recently developed by General Motors. In addition, mathematical simulations of the response and kinematics of a 50th percentile male occupant were performed at the three levels of crash severity, using the MVMA Two-Dimensional Crash Victim Simulator.