Enhancing cervical spine health: a vibration-focused multibody dynamics model for neck support system design
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Nima Heidari
Nima Heidari received his BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tabriz, Iran, in 2017, and the MSc degree from Ozyegin University, Turkey, in 2024. Currently, he is working as an NVH and Vehicle Dynamics Engineer at Ford Otosan, Turkey. His research interests include biomechanics, multibody dynamics, and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH).
Dr. Ramazan Ünal is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Ozyegin University. He received his Ph.D. in 2014 from University of Twente, Netherlands. After completing his Ph.D., Dr. Unal joined the Robotics & Multi-body Mechanics research group in Vrije Universiteit Brussels. His main research interests are robotic prosthetics and exoskeletons. He has more than 20 patent applications and was awarded the Best Academic Patent by the International Innovation Federation in 2022.
Damla Gezegen received her BSc degree in Biomedical Engineering from Baskent University, Turkey, in 2020 and the Major degree Mechanical Engineering from Baskent University, Turkey, in 2021. Her research interests include biomechanics and multibody dynamics.
Hakan İşçi is currently operating his own company HTM Design Inc. as CEO. He received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in mechanical engineering from Middle East Technical University, Turkey. Before founding HTM Design Inc., he assumed engineering and management roles at Turkish Aerospace Industry, STM Inc., and ETC Co. (USA). Mr. Isci has over 30 years of experience in air platform development, and simulation. HTM Design Inc. develops pilot life support system components and critical subsystems for aerospace applications.
Dr. Polat Şendur is currently an Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Ozyegin University. He received his Ph.D. degree from The University of Michigan, USA. He worked at Tec-Masters, Inc. (USA), Robert Bosch Corporation (USA) and Ford Otosan (Turkey). His research interests include modeling and vibrations. Dr. Sendur has been awarded with Marie Curie International Re-Integration Grant for his project “Multi-Disciplinary Design Optimization of Adaptive Vehicle Safety Systems for Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD)” in 2007.
Abstract
Neck injuries can range from mild discomfort to severe disability. Despite the abundance of biomechanical models of the cervical spine in the literature, their capabilities for modal and frequency response analysis are limited. A comprehensive head-cervical spine model was developed to address this gap, enabling frequency domain analysis. A multi-body dynamics (MBD) model with 20 degrees-of-freedom (DoFs) was created using ADAMS software’s frequency response analysis capabilities. This model incorporates elements, including vertebrae, ligaments, and muscles. The validation was performed using OpenSim and existing experimental findings. The model was then employed to conduct a Design of Experiments (DoE) study, where key design factors of a conceptual neck support system were varied. Two vibration objective functions were selected to evaluate the parametric designs. The first function identifies the maximum value of the head’s acceleration, while the second measures overall vibration within the frequency range of interest. In a case study, the model’s capabilities were demonstrated, identifying key design parameters for the neck support system. The methodology has the potential to make significant contributions across multiple industries. Applications range from designing anti-vibration devices to reduce fatigue in the automotive and aerospace sectors to enhancing rehabilitation systems in healthcare, ultimately improving patient exercise effectiveness.
Funding source: Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu
Award Identifier / Grant number: 3220329
About the authors
Nima Heidari received his BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tabriz, Iran, in 2017, and the MSc degree from Ozyegin University, Turkey, in 2024. Currently, he is working as an NVH and Vehicle Dynamics Engineer at Ford Otosan, Turkey. His research interests include biomechanics, multibody dynamics, and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH).
Dr. Ramazan Ünal is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Ozyegin University. He received his Ph.D. in 2014 from University of Twente, Netherlands. After completing his Ph.D., Dr. Unal joined the Robotics & Multi-body Mechanics research group in Vrije Universiteit Brussels. His main research interests are robotic prosthetics and exoskeletons. He has more than 20 patent applications and was awarded the Best Academic Patent by the International Innovation Federation in 2022.
Damla Gezegen received her BSc degree in Biomedical Engineering from Baskent University, Turkey, in 2020 and the Major degree Mechanical Engineering from Baskent University, Turkey, in 2021. Her research interests include biomechanics and multibody dynamics.
Hakan İşçi is currently operating his own company HTM Design Inc. as CEO. He received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in mechanical engineering from Middle East Technical University, Turkey. Before founding HTM Design Inc., he assumed engineering and management roles at Turkish Aerospace Industry, STM Inc., and ETC Co. (USA). Mr. Isci has over 30 years of experience in air platform development, and simulation. HTM Design Inc. develops pilot life support system components and critical subsystems for aerospace applications.
Dr. Polat Şendur is currently an Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Ozyegin University. He received his Ph.D. degree from The University of Michigan, USA. He worked at Tec-Masters, Inc. (USA), Robert Bosch Corporation (USA) and Ford Otosan (Turkey). His research interests include modeling and vibrations. Dr. Sendur has been awarded with Marie Curie International Re-Integration Grant for his project “Multi-Disciplinary Design Optimization of Adaptive Vehicle Safety Systems for Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD)” in 2007.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to extend their gratitude to O. Arfaie, B. Firouzi and A. Abbasi for their valuable support.
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Research ethics: Not applicable.
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Informed consent: Not applicable.
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Author contributions: The authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
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Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.
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Research funding: This work is supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), under the grant number 3220329.
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Data availability: The raw data can be obtained on request from the corresponding author.
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© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Review on three-point bending test for evaluating the mechanical properties, fracture behavior, and adhesion strength of coating/substrate systems
- Gas metal arc weldability of a Strenx 700MC-AISI304 dissimilar joint
- Effect of process parameters on mechanical properties of 5554 aluminum alloy fabricated by wire arc additive manufacturing
- Coating of TIG-welded micro-alloyed 38MnVS6 steel with flux-cored wire and FeB addition: microstructure, hardness, and wear properties
- Manufacturing parameters’ effects on the flexural properties of 3D-printed PLA
- Modified hot-spot stress method for fatigue life estimation of welded components
- Water as blowing agent in polyurethane resins creating porous cancellous bone surrogates for biomechanical osteosynthesis applications
- Enhancing cervical spine health: a vibration-focused multibody dynamics model for neck support system design
- Characterization of novel fibers extracted from Rumex obtusifolius L. plant for potential composite applications
- Interface metallurgical characteristics of dissimilar friction welded steels
- Effect of atmospheric pressure plasma treatment on the wettability and aging behavior of metal surfaces
- Microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar ferritic (S355)–austenitic (AISI 304) steel joints welded by robotic GMAW
- Enhanced Greylag Goose optimizer for solving constrained engineering design problems
- Effect of sustainable cooling and lubrication method on the hole quality and machinability performance in drilling of AA7075 alloy with cryogenically treated carbide drills
- Design optimization of a connecting rod for energy savings
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Review on three-point bending test for evaluating the mechanical properties, fracture behavior, and adhesion strength of coating/substrate systems
- Gas metal arc weldability of a Strenx 700MC-AISI304 dissimilar joint
- Effect of process parameters on mechanical properties of 5554 aluminum alloy fabricated by wire arc additive manufacturing
- Coating of TIG-welded micro-alloyed 38MnVS6 steel with flux-cored wire and FeB addition: microstructure, hardness, and wear properties
- Manufacturing parameters’ effects on the flexural properties of 3D-printed PLA
- Modified hot-spot stress method for fatigue life estimation of welded components
- Water as blowing agent in polyurethane resins creating porous cancellous bone surrogates for biomechanical osteosynthesis applications
- Enhancing cervical spine health: a vibration-focused multibody dynamics model for neck support system design
- Characterization of novel fibers extracted from Rumex obtusifolius L. plant for potential composite applications
- Interface metallurgical characteristics of dissimilar friction welded steels
- Effect of atmospheric pressure plasma treatment on the wettability and aging behavior of metal surfaces
- Microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar ferritic (S355)–austenitic (AISI 304) steel joints welded by robotic GMAW
- Enhanced Greylag Goose optimizer for solving constrained engineering design problems
- Effect of sustainable cooling and lubrication method on the hole quality and machinability performance in drilling of AA7075 alloy with cryogenically treated carbide drills
- Design optimization of a connecting rod for energy savings
