A 50th percentile female occupant FE model with the average spinal alignment pattern for females

摘要

Objective: The purpose of this study is to develop an average size female occupant FE model with an average spinal alignment pattern for females in a seated posture and investigate influences of the spinal alignment pattern on spinal kinematics in rear impact. Methods: An occupant FE model of female average size was developed by scaling the THUMS AF05. An average female spinal alignment pattern was implemented in the model, and model validation was made with respect to female volunteer sled test data from rear end impacts. Thereafter, the average spinal alignment pattern for males was implemented in the validated female model, and additional FE simulations of the sled test were conducted to investigate effects of spinal alignment patterns on spinal kinematics. Results: The two average spinal alignment patterns implemented to the AF50 size model was one with a less-kyphotic thoracic spine (the female average), and one with more pronounced kyphotic thoracic spine (the male average). The AF50 size model with the female average spinal alignment had more spine straightening from upper thoracic vertebra level than that with the male average spinal alignment. Conclusions: Simulation results suggested that it was necessary to implement a female spinal alignment of a seated posture into a female occupant FE model to reconstruct occupant kinematics during rear end impact.