Experimental validation of a three-dimensional finite-amplitude nonlinear continuum model of phonation

Abstract

Due to the complex nature of the phonation process, simplification assumptions (e.g., reduced flow model, small strain vocal fold deformation) are often made in phonation models. The validity of these assumption is largely unknown because the overall behavior of these phonation models often has not been validated against experiment. In this study, a three-dimensional finite-amplitude nonlinear continuum model of the vocal folds is developed and compared to results from experiments using a self-oscillating physical model of the vocal folds. The simulations are based on a nonlinear finite element analysis, whereby large displacement and material nonlinearity are taken into account. The vocal-fold model is coupled with a reduced-order flow solver based on Bernoulli equation. Preliminary results show that the model is able to qualitatively reproduce experimental observations regarding phonation threshold and typical vocal fold vibration patterns. [Work supported by NIH.]