Development of a Finite Element Model for a Pedestrian Pelvis and Lower Limb 2006-01-0683

A finite element (FE) model that can predict impact response and injuries to a human pelvis and lower limb was developed in PAM-CRASH™ by accurately representing human anatomical structures.

In our previous study, three-dimensional (3D) geometry of the thigh, leg and knee joint was developed based on MRI scans from a human volunteer. 3D geometry of a bony pelvis created in this study was based on CT scans from a Post Mortem Human Subject (PMHS).

The model was validated using published quasi-static and dynamic test results with human pelves and lower limbs. The thigh and leg models were validated against recently published dynamic 3-point bending test results with off-center loading. The validation results showed that this model can reproduce force-deflection and moment-deflection responses of a human thigh and leg in various loading conditions along with average force and moment at fracture. In terms of the ligaments in the knee joint, newly published high rate tensile test results were used for comparison of force-deflection response in order to confirm validity of the strain rate dependency specified in the material models for the ligaments. The knee joint model was validated against dynamic valgus bending tests. The results indicated that the model can reproduce bending moment-bending angle response of the human knee along with average bending moment and bending angle at ligament failure. The pelvis model was validated against published results of quasi-static lateral compressive and tensile tests as well as dynamic compressive tests. It was confirmed that the model can simulate quasi-static and dynamic force-deflection responses of human pelves along with average force and deflection at fracture.

Those validations showed that the model developed in this study can cover various loading conditions to a pedestrian lower limb while simulating lateral impact responses of a pedestrian pelvis.