Publications

Publications

Development and Validation of 12MO Numerical Child Head Dummy Model for Automotive Crashworthiness

This biomechanics paper details the development and rigorous validation of a 12-month-old child head numerical dummy model using FEA for automotive crashworthiness assessment. The model, built with deformable and rigid materials and incorporating specific infant material properties, was validated against child cadaver drop test data to ensure its biofidelity. This work provides a crucial computational tool to enhance pediatric head injury research and prevention strategies in crash scenarios.

Development and Validation of One-year-old Child Neck Numerical Model Dummy for Impact Simulations

This biomechanical study focuses on the development and validation of a one-year-old child neck numerical model dummy using FEM for impact simulations. The model was rigorously validated against pendulum, flexion, and extension tests to ensure its biofidelity in mimicking the biomechanical response of a physical dummy. This work significantly contributes to pediatric safety by providing a robust computational tool for understanding child neck injury mechanisms in automotive crashes.

Computational Modeling of Cardiac Biomechanics

Amir Nikou

This dissertation introduces a computational biomechanics framework for the heart, using patient-specific finite element models from MRI. It applies advanced constitutive laws to simulate cardiac mechanics, focusing on stress-free geometry estimation, myocardial growth modeling, and in vivo strain data validation. This work offers crucial insights into cardiac function and disease, underscoring the power of biomechanical modeling in advancing heart diagnostics and treatments.

Probabilistic Analysis of the Material and Shape Properties for Human Liver

Yuan-Chiao Lu

This biomechanical study quantifies the inter-subject variations in human liver shape and material properties using statistical shape analysis and specimen-specific finite element models. This comprehensive approach is vital for developing more realistic numerical human models to accurately assess liver injury risk across diverse populations, enhancing the predictive power of biomechanical injury simulations.

Modeling the biomechanical and injury response of human liver parenchyma under tensile loading

This biomechanical study utilized uniaxial tensile tests and specimen-specific finite element models to characterize the material and failure properties of human liver parenchyma under various loading rates. The research developed an approach that accurately models both the biomechanical response and the tearing behavior of liver tissue, significantly improving the assessment of abdominal injury risk in crash events.