Methods for validation of the mass distribution of a full body finite element model - biomed 2011

Accurate mass distribution in computational human body models is essential for kinematic and kinetic validation. The purpose of this study was to validate the mass distribution of the 50th percentile male model (M50) developed as part of the Global Human Body Models Consortium (GHBMC) project. The body segment centers of gravity (CG) of M50 were compared against published data in two ways: using a homogeneous body surface CAD model, and a Finite Element Model (FEM). Both the CAD and FEM models were generated from image data collected from the same 50th percentile male subject. Each model was partitioned into 11 segments, using segment planes constructed from bony landmarks acquired from the subject. CG’s of the CAD and FEA models were computed using commercially available software packages. Deviation between the literature data CG’s and CG’s of the FEM and CAD were 5.8% and 5.6% respectively when normalized by a regional characteristic length. Deviation between the FEM and CAD CG’s averaged 2.4% when normalized in the same fashion. Unlike the CAD and literature which both assume homogenous mass distribution, the FEM CG data account for varying densities of anatomical structures by virtue of the assigned material properties. This analysis validates the CG’s determined from each model by comparing them directly to well-known literature studies that rely only on anthropometric landmarks to determine the CG’s measurements. The results of this study will help enhance the biofidelity of the GHBMC M50 model.