Although the catapult phase of pilot ejections has been well characterized in terms of human response to compressive forces, the effect of the forces on the human body during the ensuing ejection phases (including windblast and parachute opening shock) has not been thoroughly investigated. Both windblast and parachute opening shock have been shown to induce dynamic tensile forces in the human cervical spine. However, the human tolerance to such loading is not well known. Therefore, the main objective of this research project was to measure human tensile neck failure mechanics to provide data for computational modeling, anthropometric test device development, and improved tensile injury criteria. Twelve human cadaver specimens, including four females and eight males with a mean age of , were subjected to dynamic tensile loading through the musculoskeletal neck until failure occurred. Failure load, failure strain, and tensile stiffness were measured and correlated with injury type and location. The mean failure load for the 12 specimens was , mean failure strain was , and mean tensile stiffness was . The majority of injuries (8) occurred in the upper cervical spine (Oc-C3), and none took place in the midcervical region (C3–C5). The results of this study assist in filling the existing void in dynamic tensile injury data and will aid in developing improved neck injury prevention strategies.
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May 2009
Research Papers
Dynamic Tensile Failure Mechanics of the Musculoskeletal Neck Using a Cadaver Model
Eno M. Yliniemi,
Eno M. Yliniemi
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Applied Biomechanics Laboratory,
University of Washington
, 501 Eastlake Avenue E, Suite 102, Seattle, WA 98109
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Joseph A. Pellettiere,
Joseph A. Pellettiere
Biomechanics Branch,
Air Force Research Laboratory
, Wright-Patterson AFB, AFRL/RHPA, 2800 Q Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433
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Erica J. Doczy,
Erica J. Doczy
Biomechanics Branch,
Air Force Research Laboratory
, Wright-Patterson AFB, AFRL/RHPA, 2800 Q Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433
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David J. Nuckley,
David J. Nuckley
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Applied Biomechanics Laboratory,
University of Washington
, 501 Eastlake Avenue E, Suite 102, Seattle, WA 98109
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Chris E. Perry,
Chris E. Perry
Biomechanics Branch,
Air Force Research Laboratory
, Wright-Patterson AFB, AFRL/RHPA, 2800 Q Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433
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Randal P. Ching
Randal P. Ching
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Applied Biomechanics Laboratory,
University of Washington
, 501 Eastlake Avenue E, Suite 102, Seattle, WA 98109
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Eno M. Yliniemi
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Applied Biomechanics Laboratory,
University of Washington
, 501 Eastlake Avenue E, Suite 102, Seattle, WA 98109
Joseph A. Pellettiere
Biomechanics Branch,
Air Force Research Laboratory
, Wright-Patterson AFB, AFRL/RHPA, 2800 Q Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433
Erica J. Doczy
Biomechanics Branch,
Air Force Research Laboratory
, Wright-Patterson AFB, AFRL/RHPA, 2800 Q Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433
David J. Nuckley
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Applied Biomechanics Laboratory,
University of Washington
, 501 Eastlake Avenue E, Suite 102, Seattle, WA 98109
Chris E. Perry
Biomechanics Branch,
Air Force Research Laboratory
, Wright-Patterson AFB, AFRL/RHPA, 2800 Q Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433
Randal P. Ching
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Applied Biomechanics Laboratory,
University of Washington
, 501 Eastlake Avenue E, Suite 102, Seattle, WA 98109J Biomech Eng. May 2009, 131(5): 051001 (10 pages)
Published Online: March 20, 2009
Article history
Received:
September 28, 2007
Revised:
December 31, 2008
Published:
March 20, 2009
Citation
Yliniemi, E. M., Pellettiere, J. A., Doczy, E. J., Nuckley, D. J., Perry, C. E., and Ching, R. P. (March 20, 2009). "Dynamic Tensile Failure Mechanics of the Musculoskeletal Neck Using a Cadaver Model." ASME. J Biomech Eng. May 2009; 131(5): 051001. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3078151
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