ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to develop a three-dimensional finite element model of the human cervical spine structure using data from the Visible Human Project. The developed model is the first step in an attempt to simulate the three-dimensional movement of the cervical spine during whiplash accidents in order to predict the strain inside the spinal ligaments, with a view to supporting the development of car restraint systems. The finite element model of the 4 vertebrae, C4-C7, consisted of solid elements, contact surfaces, non-linear springs and spar elements. Appropriate material properties from the literature were used. The progressive non-linear deformation behaviour of the intervertebral discs,however, was derived from an analytical function and applied to non-linear spring elements. Since the development of the model is targeted on the prediction of spinal motion in transient dynamic simulations, compromises have been made on the topological accuracy to reduce the model complexity. The motion characteristics of the spine segment have been compared with experimental results where available. The results show that reduction of the topological structure to its mechanically significant features and programming of non-linear springs with analytically derived force / deformation characteristics to model the intervertebral discs, are effective measures for modelling the spine with a minimum of degrees of freedom.
