As the first step in understanding abdominal injuries via numerical methods, a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model (FEM) of a 50th percentile male human abdomen (WSUHAM) has been developed and validated against experimental data obtained from: two sets of side impact tests, namely cadaveric pendulum impact tests and lateral drop tests; and from a series of cadaveric lower abdomen frontal impact tests. The model includes a detailed representation of the liver, spleen, kidneys, spine, skin and major blood vessels. Hollow organs, such as the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, gall bladder, bile ducts, ureters, rectum and adrenal glands are grouped into three bodybags in order to provide realistic inertial properties and to maintain the position of the solid organs in their appropriate locations. Using direct connections, the model was joined superiorly to a partial model of the human thorax, and inferiorly to models of the human pelvis and the lower extremities that have been previously developed. Material properties for various tissues of the abdomen were derived from the literature. Results predicted by the model match the experimental data, obtained from the above-mentioned three impact test sets, for various impact speeds, impactor masses and drop heights. Further study is still needed in order to fully validate WSUHAM before it can be used to assess various impact loading conditions associated with vehicular crashes. For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD E206605.
Samenvatting