Dynamics of and injury assessment to occupants in high-speed planing boats under pure vertical loading condition using a human body model with active muscle behavior
Abstract
In the maritime industry, with special emphasis on military and rescue operations,
often situations arise where a rapid response is required. During these periods, the use
of high-speed planing crafts is of utmost importance, due to their ability to address the
situation in a quick manner and with great maneuverability. Although the employment
of these crafts is a common practice in the naval industry, studies have shown compelling
evidence of potential significant injury risk for high-speed boat operators due to the repeated
shock impacts of the craft against the sea. The injuries related to these impacts have been
identified as both acute and chronic, reducing both the short-term and long-term effectiveness
of the personnel exposed to it.
This study is aimed at addressing the safety of high-speed crafts occupants when
exposed to pure vertical loading conditions by using a numerical human body model to
simulate the response of humans under typical high-speed planing boat impacts. In order to
achieve that, a representative run-time efficient multibody model of a pure vertical one-wave
impact scenario is developed, validated, and utilized. Multibody techniques to model the
structural systems and Madymo’s active human body model are employed to represent and
evaluate the potential injury to the boat occupants.
Additionally, a parametric study is conducted to assess the influence of identified
parameters to the injury severity on high-speed craft occupants. The parametric study yields
one scenario with a significant lumbar load reduction, where armrests and hand holders are
added to the seat structure. The importance of the active muscle behavior to the injury
assessment process is demonstrated by comparing the results of the reference model with
muscles in active and passive modes.
Description
Thesis (M.S.)-- Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering