The goal of this study was to evaluate the biofidelity of a finite element 50th percentile male human body model (GHBMC) under lateral shoulder impact loading conditions by comparing its responses to those of post mortem human surrogates (PMHS) from literature. The GHBMC model (version: FMB v.4.1.1) was positioned on a rigid seat and the right shoulder of the model was impacted by a rigid impactor in different initial impact speeds and directions (impact speeds: 1.5, 3.0, and 4.4m/s, impact direction: 0o, ‐15 o, and +15 o). The GHBMC model showed similar impact force time histories to those of the PMHS for the various loading conditions, but predicted less peak shoulder deformation and energy dissipation than those of the PMHS. Since injury risk functions for the shoulder use the shoulder deflection as an injury predictor, the GHBMC model needs to be improved to be able to predict the shoulder injury of PMHS. Therefore, further effort is required to validate the shoulder region of the GHBMC model with focusing on its deformation.
Keywords:
GHBMC, human body model, biofidelity, shoulder, lateral impact