Prediction of the Modal Characteristics of the Human Spine at Resonant Frequency Using Finite Element Models

2005 ◽  
Vol 219 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Xin Guo ◽  
Ee-Chon Teo
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Lumbar Spine ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Whole Body Vibration ◽  
Vertical Motion ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Body Vibration ◽  
Human Spine

To understand the dynamic characteristics of the human spine, a detailed three-dimensional finite element model of the lower thorax to pelvis segment, T12-pelvis, was developed based on actual vertebral geometry. After modal analysis, the resonant frequencies of different spinal segments were obtained. The vibration mode of T12-pelvis shows that the human upper body mainly performs the vertical motion during whole-body vibration and the lumbar spine segment conducts translation and rotation in the sagittal plane. The lower segments of the lumbar spine move in flexion and the upper lumbar segments move in extension. This investigation may be helpful in understanding further the biomechanical behaviour of the human spine under the condition of whole-body vibration and to offer potential references for spinal disease treatments and product design in industry.

Biodynamic Characteristics of Upper Limb Reaching Movements of the Seated Human Under Whole-Body Vibration

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heon-Jeong Kim ◽  
Bernard J. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Right Hemisphere ◽  
Whole Body Vibration ◽  
The Body ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Vibration Transmission ◽  
Body Vibration ◽  
Body Segments ◽  
Human Movements ◽  
Reach Movements

Simulation of human movements is an essential component for proactive ergonomic analysis and biomechanical model development (Chaffin, 2001). Most studies on reach kinematics have described human movements in a static environment, however the models derived from these studies cannot be applied to the analysis of human reach movements in vibratory environments such as in-vehicle operations. This study analyzes three-dimensional joint kinematics of the upper extremity in reach movements performed in static and specific vibratory conditions and investigates vibration transmission to shoulder, elbow, and hand along the body path during pointing tasks. Thirteen seated subjects performed reach movements to five target directions distributed in their right hemisphere. The results show similarities in the characteristics of movement patterns and reach trajectories of upper body segments for static and dynamic environments. In addition, vibration transmission through upper body segments is affected by vibration frequency, direction, and location of the target to be reached. Similarities in the pattern of movement trajectories revealed by filtering vibration-induced oscillations indicate that coordination strategy may not be drastically different in static and vibratory environments. This finding may facilitate the development of active biodynamic models to predict human performance and behavior under whole body vibration exposure.

Development and Preliminary Validation of a 50th Percentile Pedestrian Finite Element Model

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Costin D. Untaroiu ◽  
Jacob B. Putnam ◽  
Jeremy Schap ◽  
Matt L. Davis ◽  
F. Scott Gayzik
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Lumbar Spine ◽  
Test Data ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Human Model ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Fe Model ◽  
Pedestrian Protection ◽  
Bending Tests ◽  
Impact Tests

Pedestrians represent one of the most vulnerable road users and comprise nearly 22% of the road crash related fatalities in the world. Therefore, protection of pedestrians in the car-to-pedestrian collisions (CPC) has recently generated increased attention with regulations which involve three subsystem tests for adult pedestrian protection (leg, thigh and head impact tests). The development of a finite element (FE) pedestrian model could be a better alternative that characterizes the whole-body response of vehicle–pedestrian interactions and assesses the pedestrian injuries. The main goal of this study was to develop and to preliminarily validate a FE model corresponding to a 50th male pedestrian in standing posture. The FE model mesh and defined material properties are based on the Global Human Body Modeling (GHBMC) 50th percentile male occupant model. The lower limb-pelvis and lumbar spine regions of the human model were preliminarily validated against the post mortem human surrogate (PMHS) test data recorded in four-point lateral knee bending tests, pelvic impact tests, and lumbar spine bending tests. Then, pedestrian-to-vehicle impact simulations were performed using the whole pedestrian model and the results were compared to corresponding pedestrian PMHS tests. Overall, the preliminary simulation results showed that lower leg response is close to the upper boundaries of PMHS corridors. The pedestrian kinematics predicted by the model was also in the overall range of test data obtained with PMHS with various anthropometries. In addition, the model shows capability to predict the most common injuries observed in pedestrian accidents. Generally, the validated pedestrian model may be used by safety researchers in the design of front ends of new vehicles in order to increase pedestrian protection.

scholarly journals Biomechanics Of Human Lumbar Spine (L3 To L5) With Degenerative Disc Disease Using Finite Element Model

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 4609-4614
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Lumbar Spine ◽  
Finite Element Model ◽  
Disc Degeneration ◽  
Human Body ◽  
Lumbar Disc ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Human Spine ◽  
Human Lumbar Spine ◽  
Normal Human

Human spine is one of the complex structure of the human body. It provides the link between upper and lower extremities of the human body. It is estimated that at least 30% of people in the middle age group from thirty to fifty years have some degree of disc degeneration. Disc degeneration disease can affect the quality of life and in certain individual it can cause severe chronic pain if left untreated. The low back pain associated with lumbar disc degeneration is usually generated from two causes which are abnormal motion instability and inflammation. Abnormal motion instability occurs when the annulus fibrosus are worn down and cannot absorb stress on the human spine effectively resulting in changes in movements along the vertebral segment. To understand lumbar disc problem, a thorough knowledge of the biomechanics of the normal human lumbar spine and a disc degenerated lumbar spine is of great importance. In this study, Computed tomography image of a 33 year old male is used. A three dimensional (3D) human lumbar spine (L3 to L5) is created and validated with literature. The finite element model was modified to degenerated disc and studied the biomechanics of the lumbar spine. Comparison of the biomechanics of normal human lumbar spine is done with the human lumbar spine with disc degeneration for different range of motion and different loads. The result shows that the pressure generated on degenerated disc is greater than normal disc. This work can be implemented and used for designing implants and also for intervertebral disc related analysis

A detailed finite element model of a mid-sized male for the investigation of traffic pedestrian accidents

2020 ◽  
pp. 095441192097622
Author(s):  
Daniel Grindle ◽  
Wansoo Pak ◽  
Berkan Guleyupoglu ◽  
Bharath Koya ◽  
F Scott Gayzik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Test Data ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Fe Model ◽  
Automotive Safety ◽  
Detailed Model ◽  
Body Regions ◽  
Safety Research

The pedestrian is one of the most vulnerable road users and comprises approximately 23% of the road crash-related fatalities in the world. To protect pedestrians during Car-to-Pedestrian Collisions (CPC), subsystem impact tests are used in regulations. These tests provide insight but cannot characterize the complex vehicle-pedestrian interaction. The main purpose of this study was to develop and validate a detailed pedestrian Finite Element (FE) model corresponding to a 50th percentile male to predict CPC induced injuries. The model geometry was reconstructed using a multi-modality protocol from medical images and exterior scan data corresponding to a mid-sized male volunteer. To investigate injury response, this model included internal organs, muscles and vessels. The lower extremity, shoulder and upper body of the model were validated against Post Mortem Human Surrogate (PMHS) test data in valgus bending, and lateral/anterior-lateral blunt impacts, respectively. The whole-body pedestrian model was validated in CPC simulations using a mid-sized sedan and simplified generic vehicles bucks and previously unpublished PMHS coronal knee angle data. In the component validations, the responses of the FE model were mostly within PMHS test corridors and in whole body validations the kinematic and injury responses predicted by the model showed similar trends to PMHS test data. Overall, the detailed model showed higher biofidelity, especially in the upper body regions, compared to a previously reported simplified pedestrian model, which recommends using it in future pedestrian automotive safety research.

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