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Document ID (ISN)27254
CIS number 77-1103
ISSN - Serial title 0022-460X - Journal of Sound and Vibration
Year 1976
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Smith J.B., Suggs C.W.
Title Dynamic properties of the human head.
Bibliographic information Sep. 1976, Vol.48, No.1, p.35-43. Illus. 10 ref.
Abstract The design of better helmets and other safety devices would be facilitated by more knowledge on the dynamic response of the head to impact, acceleration, and vibratory forces. In this study, the heads of volunteers were exposed to vibrations of 20-5,000Hz to determine the mechanical impedance characteristics. The literature on experimental results is reviewed, and the test procedure and results are described. Maximum and minimum impedance magnitudes were found near 100 and 3,000Hz, respectively. Different acceleration input levels of 0.98 and 3.4m/s2 resulted in little variation in response. The apparent behaviour of the head as a mass of about 4.5kg for frequencies less than 60Hz showed agreement with other studies. Between 100 and 2,500Hz the head responds as a spring. The dynamic response of the head was accurately simulated by a 2-degree-of-freedom mass-excited mechanical system, which provides an accurate representation of the dynamic behaviour of the human head for situations which do not result in significant deformation or fracture of the skull. Thus, the model might be of great use in the design of safety devices such as helmets or head restraints.
Descriptors (primary) shock absorption; tests on models; safety helmets
Descriptors (secondary) vibration resistance; mechanics; skull; design of equipment; human experiments
Document type -
Subject(s) Personal protection
Broad subject area(s)
Browse category(ies) Head protection