Technical Paper
An Investigation on the Importance of Material Anisotropy in Finite-Element Modeling of the Human Femur
2006-04-03
2006-01-0064
Detailed finite element modeling of the human body offers a potential major enhancement to the prediction of injury risk during vehicle impacts. Currently, vehicle crash safety countermeasure development is based on a combination of testing with established anthropomorphic test devices (i.e., ATD or dummy) and a mixture of multi-body (dummy) and finite element (vehicle) modeling. If a relatively simple finite element model can be developed to capture additional information beyond the capabilities of the multi-body systems, it would allow improved countermeasure development through more detailed prediction of performance. A simpler finite element model of human bones could be developed if it were shown that less complex finite element material modeling provides sufficient prediction of long bone macro-level strength. This study investigates the importance of including material anisotropy in the finite element model of a human femur.