This research aimed at investigating the relationship between the femur forces of an out-of-position vehicle occupant and the potential injury severity occurring to the lower extremities during a frontal car crash. A better understanding and prediction of injuries allows for deriving thresholds to theoretically define values at which injuries could potentially occur, with the purpose of guiding engineers in the design of safer vehicles. A validated Knee-Thigh-Hip (KTH) finite element model of a 50th percentile male was used with the code LSDYNA to explore injury mechanisms in frontal impacts. The KTH joints were positioned at different angles of thigh flexion, adduction and abduction. Values for the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) level 2+ and 3+ were calculated using peak femur forces obtained with the FE simulations and regression equations for predicting KTH injuries developed by Kuppa [1]. The study shows that the probability of KTH bone fracture is higher when the thigh is initially abducted. The study also shows that the probability of KTH bone fracture is lower when the thigh is initially flexed, rather than in a neutral position. When considering combinations of adduction and flexion, results show that the probability of KTH bone fracture is not significantly affected by the angle of thigh flexion. On the other hand, results also show that the probability of KTH bone injury when the thigh is flexed and either adducted or abducted to a relative high angle is lower.
Skip Nav Destination
ASME 2009 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
November 13–19, 2009
Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- ASME
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4386-4
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
A Finite Element Parametric Study of Femur Fracture Force in Out-of-Position Seating Positions Fracture Femoral Forces to Abbreviated Injury Scale Level 2+ and 3+ Available to Purchase
Chiara Silvestri,
Chiara Silvestri
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA
Search for other works by this author on:
Malcolm H. Ray
Malcolm H. Ray
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA
Search for other works by this author on:
Chiara Silvestri
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA
Malcolm H. Ray
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA
Paper No:
IMECE2009-12632, pp. 551-558; 8 pages
Published Online:
July 8, 2010
Citation
Silvestri, C, & Ray, MH. "A Finite Element Parametric Study of Femur Fracture Force in Out-of-Position Seating Positions Fracture Femoral Forces to Abbreviated Injury Scale Level 2+ and 3+." Proceedings of the ASME 2009 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. Volume 13: New Developments in Simulation Methods and Software for Engineering Applications; Safety Engineering, Risk Analysis and Reliability Methods; Transportation Systems. Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA. November 13–19, 2009. pp. 551-558. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2009-12632
Download citation file:
16
Views
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Articles
Finite Element Model of the Knee for Investigation of Injury Mechanisms: Development and Validation
J Biomech Eng (January,2014)
Biomechanical Evaluation of the Axial Compressive Responses of the Human Cadaveric and Manikin Necks
J Biomech Eng (August,1989)
Mechanical Properties of the Lateral Collateral Ligament: Effect of Cruciate Instability in the Rabbit
J Biomech Eng (August,1988)
Related Chapters
Gender Differences in Alpine Skiing Injuries: A Profile of the Knee-Injured Skier
Skiing Trauma and Safety: Eleventh Volume
What Do We Know About Ski Injury Research that Relates Binding Function to Knee and Lower Leg Injuries?
Skiing Trauma and Safety: Fourteenth Volume
Identification of the Knee Joint in Varus-Valgus and Longitudinal Rotations in Laboratory and Snow Skiing Experiments
Skiing Trauma and Safety: Sixth International Symposium