A Novel Anthropomorphic Biomechanical Model of the Human Body: a Pedestrian-Car Impact Study

Articulated Total Body (ATB) models are commonly used for kinematic analysis, and the outer body geometry is usually a rough approximation of the actual one. This study moves from the hypothesis that a more accurate representation can be used with minimal additional effort in model preparation and computation, while it can bring significant benefits especially in circumstances where the human body undergoes multiple impacts with the outer environment. This anthropomorphic model was previously set up by the authors, and it is obtained from a statistical shape model of a human being which is morphed according to a limited set of measurements such as the height, the weight, the waist circumference, the shoulder width, etc.; the geometric accuracy of the anthropomorphic geometry has resulted to be below 9 mm. The model was here validated against tests performed on cadavers, using specific indices to compare time histories between numerical and experimental data (EEARTH metrics). Some preliminary validation tests, considering experimental tests reproducing pedestrian-car impacts, have shown the capabilities of the model in predicting the actual trajectories. Further efforts will be dedicated to a refinement and customization of contact properties to be applied for impacts between body parts and the environment.