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Technology has increased dramatically over the last 25 years. It has allowed the development of personnel body armor capable of preventing penetration of fragments traveling in excess of 2000 ft/s (609 m/s). However, these strides have also exposed the body to greater impact energies without a lethal penetration. The objective of this research was to examine how the body in particular the Head-Neck Complex responds to these impacts. A finite element model was developed to characterize the behavior of this biomechanical system. This model was then validated &against existing experimental work form the automotive industry. The validated model was then subjected to impacts at different positions to induce different load cases. Each set of results were then compared to the Head Injury Criteria (HIC), Abbreviated Injury Scale (MS), and the Injury Assessment Reference Values (IARVS) for evidence of injury potential. Disc stiffness was found to be proportional to the injury potential. Rupture of the disc was considered likely for 5 of the 6 cases examined. Fracture of the vertebral body was considered likely in 3 of the 6 cases. Suggestions for future research are included in the hopes to furthering research into this area.

Technology has increased dramatically over the last 25 years. It has allowed the development of personnel body armor capable of preventing penetration of fragments traveling in excess of 2000 ft/s (609 m/s). However, these strides have also exposed the body to greater impact energies without a lethal penetration. The objective of this research was to examine how the body in particular the Head-Neck Complex responds to these impacts. A finite element model was developed to characterize the behavior of this biomechanical system. This model was then validated &against existing experimental work form the automotive industry. The validated model was then subjected to impacts at different positions to induce different load cases. Each set of results were then compared to the Head Injury Criteria (HIC), Abbreviated Injury Scale (MS), and the Injury Assessment Reference Values (IARVS) for evidence of injury potential. Disc stiffness was found to be proportional to the injury potential. Rupture of the disc was considered likely for 5 of the 6 cases examined. Fracture of the vertebral body was considered likely in 3 of the 6 cases. Suggestions for future research are included in the hopes to furthering research into this area.

Technology has increased dramatically over the last 25 years. It has allowed the development of personnel body armor capable of preventing penetration of fragments traveling in excess of 2000 ft/s (609 m/s). However, these strides have also exposed the body to greater impact energies without a lethal penetration. The objective of this research was to examine how the body in particular the Head-Neck Complex responds to these impacts. A finite element model was developed to characterize the behavior of this biomechanical system. This model was then validated &against existing experimental work form the automotive industry. The validated model was then subjected to impacts at different positions to induce different load cases. Each set of results were then compared to the Head Injury Criteria (HIC), Abbreviated Injury Scale (MS), and the Injury Assessment Reference Values (IARVS) for evidence of injury potential. Disc stiffness was found to be proportional to the injury potential. Rupture of the disc was considered likely for 5 of the 6 cases examined. Fracture of the vertebral body was considered likely in 3 of the 6 cases. Suggestions for future research are included in the hopes to furthering research into this area., http://www.archive.org/details/investigationofb00king, Lieutenant, United States Navy, Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.