A Finite Element Model of the Pelvis and Lower Limb for Automotive Impact Applications

A finite element (FE) model of the pelvis and lower limb was developed to improve understanding of injury mechanisms of the lower extremities during vehicle collisions and to aid in the design of injury countermeasures. The FE model was developed based on the reconstructed geometry of a male volunteer close to the anthropometry of a 50th percentile male and a commercial anatomical database. The model has more than 625,000 elements included in 285 distinct components (parts). The material and structural properties were selected based on a synthesis of current knowledge of the constitutive models for each tissue. The model was validated in seventeen loading conditions observed in frontal and side impact vehicle collisions. These validations include combined axial compression and bending (mid-shaft femur, distal third leg), compression/flexion/xversion/axial rotation (foot), and lateral loading (pelvis). In addition to very good predictions in terms of biomechanical response and injuries, the model showed stability at different severe loading conditions. Overall results obtained in the validation indicated improved biofidelity relative to previous FE models. The model may be used in future for improving the current injury criteria of lower extremity and anthropometric test devices. Furthermore, the present pelvis and lower limb was coupled together with other body region FE models into the state-of-art human FE model to be used in the field of automotive safety.