This study was conducted to determine the tolerance of the human forearm under a dynamic bending mode. A total of 30 human cadaver forearm specimens were tested using three-point bending protocol to failure at 3.3 m/s and 7.6 m/s velocities. Results indicated significantly (p less than 0.01) greater biomechanical parameters associated with males compared to females. The bending tolerance of the human forearm, however, was found to be most highly correlated to bone mineral density, bone area, and forearm mass. Any occupant with lower bone mineral density and lower forearm geometry/mass is at higher risk. The mean failure bending moment for all specimens was 94 Nm. The smaller sized occupant with lower bone mineral density, however, has one-half of this tolerance (approximately 45 Nm). The study offers quantitative information regarding tolerance of the human forearm which may be useful for design of injury-mitigating devices.
Samenvatting