SIMULATION OF MUSCLE ACTIVATION WITH COUPLED NONLINEAR FE MODELS

Abstract

Muscle activation plays an important role in head–neck dynamic response in vehicle accidents, especially in low speed impacts. The aim of the present study was to analyze the mechanical characteristics and dynamic stability of the muscle using coupled non-linear finite element model, which could be further applied for biomechanical study of head–neck system in car crash accidents. A rabbit tibialis anterior (TA) geometry model was developed. Two finite element models of TA were developed with coupled constitutive models. One coupled model was developed combining quasi-linear viscoelastic (QLV) elements and Hill type elements, and the other was developed combining hyperelastic rubber elements and Hill type elements, representing the passive behavior and active behavior, respectively. The models were validated via eccentric contractions tests under different strain rates published by Myers et al. Isometric Contraction and axial compression were also simulated via both models to evaluate the computational stability. The results showed that the coupled constitutive muscle models had a good biofidelity for the simulation of muscle activation. Both muscle models can fulfill the requirement of neck muscle system modeling for biomechanical study.