Biomechanical matrix-multibody coupled human body model for seat to head transmissibility

Abstract

Health hazards of human body to whole body vibrations (WBV) have been linked with the incidence of spinal ailments within the drivers of vibrating moving equipment. The investigations on the biodynamic responsiveness of body segments; thus, it is relevant for a profound understanding of prospective impairment anticipations and design refinements. Current research work concentrates on seated body biodynamic direct and cross axis responses to seat induced vertical vibration, and establishment of an analytical model for the prediction of human anatomy comfort parameters. In the course of WBV vibrations of the human anatomy in a seated position (driver or passenger), the movement of the head is affected by the backrest forces transmitting to the lumbar section of the spinal column. Accordingly, it is crucial to reflect backrest assistance while building the human body model to captivate direct and cross axis seat to head transmissibility. Thus, the model results should accurately represent the internal forces, power absorbed, body acceleration accurately. The human anatomy is viewed as a biodynamic system of interconnected masses. A two-dimensional nine degree of freedom (DoF) matrix-multibody coupled backrest supported seated human anatomy model is established and validated to depict vertical and fore-aft head motion. Multi-objective genetic algorithm-based optimization has been used for model parameter identification by minimizing the error difference separating the experimental and model-derived seat to head transmissibility.