The present invention uses spring models to position a finite element occupant model within a pre-simulation. Initially, a starting position and a final position for the finite element occupant model are determined. A first end of each of a plurality of spring models are attached at a first end to one or more components of the finite element occupant model in its starting position. The motion of the second end of each spring model is prescribed using positioning parameters and/or properties of each spring model are specified using spring parameters so that each attachment point is pulled to its final position through tension on the spring models. The specified positioning parameters and/or spring parameters describe how each spring model repositions the components of the finite element occupant model from the starting position to the final position.
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