Dynamic response and material sensitivity analysis of pelvic complex numerical model under side impact.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Finite Element Analysis
• Injury Biomechanics

Background:

• Pelvic dynamic response is crucial for understanding bone fracture mechanisms during side impacts.
• Key indicators include impact force, compression (C), viscous criterion (VC), bone stress, and bone strain.
• Previous research has not evaluated these pelvic response indicators.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate pelvic response indicators under side impact conditions.
• To establish a basis for studying pelvic fracture mechanisms.
• To propose alternative indicators for pelvic tolerance.

Main Methods:

• A complex finite element (FE) model of a sitting pelvis was constructed, including bone, artery, ligaments, and soft tissue.
• The dynamic response to side impact at 3 m/s was simulated.
• Material sensitivity analysis was performed by altering the bone's elastic modulus.

Main Results:

• The pelvic FE model successfully predicted dynamic responses to side impact.
• The model provided data on artery pressure and strain, and ligament axial force and strain.
• Sensitivity analysis revealed impact force, bone stress, and axial force were sensitive to elastic modulus, unlike C, VC, bone strain, and artery pressure.

Conclusions:

• The developed sitting FE model accurately predicts pelvic dynamic response.
• Compression (C), viscous criterion (VC), bone strain, and artery pressure are proposed as superior indicators for pelvic tolerance during side impacts.
• These indicators offer a more refined assessment compared to solely relying on impact force.