We measured the step response of a surrogate human pelvis/impact pendulum system at force levels between 50 and 350 N. We then fit measured response curves with four different single-degree-of-freedom models, each possessing a single mass, and supports of the following types: standard linear solid, Voigt, Maxwell, and spring. We then compared model predictions of impact force during high-energy collisions (pendulum impact velocity ranging from 1.16 to 2.58 m/s) to force traces from actual impacts to the surrogate pelvis. We found that measured peak impact forces, which ranged from 1700 to 5600 N, were best predicted by the mass-spring, Maxwell, and standard linear solid models, each of which had average errors less than 3 percent. Reduced accuracy was observed for the commonly used Voigt model, which exhibited an average error of 10 percent. Considering that the surrogate pelvis system used in this study exhibited nonlinear stiffness and damping similar to that observed in simulated fall impact experiments with human volunteers, our results suggest that these simple models allow impact forces in potentially traumatic falls to be predicted to within reasonable accuracy from the measured response of the body in safe, simulated collisions.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
August 1997
Technical Papers
Predicting the Impact Response of a Nonlinear Single-Degree-of-Freedom Shock-Absorbing System From the Measured Step Response
S. N. Robinovitch,
S. N. Robinovitch
Biomechanics Laboratory, San Francisco General Hospital, Rm. 3A36, 1001 Potrero Ave., San Francisco, CA 94110
Search for other works by this author on:
W. C. Hayes,
W. C. Hayes
Orthopedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Charles A. Dana Research Institute, Harvard-Thorndike Laboratory, Beth Israel Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
Search for other works by this author on:
T. A. McMahon
T. A. McMahon
Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
Search for other works by this author on:
S. N. Robinovitch
Biomechanics Laboratory, San Francisco General Hospital, Rm. 3A36, 1001 Potrero Ave., San Francisco, CA 94110
W. C. Hayes
Orthopedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Charles A. Dana Research Institute, Harvard-Thorndike Laboratory, Beth Israel Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
T. A. McMahon
Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
J Biomech Eng. Aug 1997, 119(3): 221-227 (7 pages)
Published Online: August 1, 1997
Article history
Received:
February 15, 1995
Revised:
September 3, 1996
Online:
October 30, 2007
Citation
Robinovitch, S. N., Hayes, W. C., and McMahon, T. A. (August 1, 1997). "Predicting the Impact Response of a Nonlinear Single-Degree-of-Freedom Shock-Absorbing System From the Measured Step Response." ASME. J Biomech Eng. August 1997; 119(3): 221–227. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2796083
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Related Articles
Order Reduction of Parametrically Excited Linear and Nonlinear Structural Systems
J. Vib. Acoust (August,2006)
Nonlinear Model Based Estimation of Rigid-Body Motion Via an Indirect Measurement of an Elastic Appendage
J. Vib. Acoust (February,2010)
Vibration Suppression of a Four-Degrees-of-Freedom Nonlinear Spring Pendulum via Longitudinal and Transverse Absorbers
J. Appl. Mech (January,2012)
Biomechanical Factors Affecting the Peak Hand Reaction Force During the Bimanual Arrest of a Moving Mass
J Biomech Eng (February,2002)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
On the Effects of ADS Along-Track Position Estimation Errors on Longitudinal Collision Risk (PSAM-0342)
Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Probabilistic Safety Assessment & Management (PSAM)
Fundamentals of Structural Dynamics
Flow Induced Vibration of Power and Process Plant Components: A Practical Workbook
Contact (Joint) Stiffness and Damping
Handbook on Stiffness & Damping in Mechanical Design