Finite Element Methods for Modeling the Pressure Distribution in Human Body–Seat Interactions: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The objective of this systematic review is to investigate the various approaches that have been undertaken in finite element analysis (FEA) of human–seat interactions and synthesize the existing knowledge. With advances in numerical simulation and digital human modeling, FEA has emerged as a powerful tool to study seating comfort and discomfort. FEA employs various biomechanical factors to predict the contact stress and pressure distribution in a particular seat design. Given the complexity of human–seat interaction, several modeling and processing steps are required to conduct realistic FEA. The steps of how to perform an FEA simulation on human–seat interactions, the different models used, the model mesh compositions, and the material properties are discussed and reviewed in this paper. This can be used as a guideline for future studies in the context of FEA of human–seat interactions.

Soft tissue material properties based on human abdominal in vivo macro-indenter measurements

“…Consistent with previous mechanical descriptions of human soft tissue (Holzapfel, 2000;Erdemir et al, 2006;Flynn et al, 2011;Halloran and Erdemir, 2011;Maas et al, 2012;Moerman et al, 2017;Calvo-Gallego et al, 2018;Wang et al, 2019;Marinopoulos et al, 2020;Alawneh et al, 2022;Lohr et al, 2022), we used a hyperelastic, nearly-incompressible Ogden material model (Simo and Taylor, 1991) to describe the nonlinear force-displacement and surface deformation behaviors gathered in this study. With a set of material parameters p (p 1 , p 2 ) (c, m) and the bulk-like modulus κ, the uncoupled first-order Ogden strain energy density function Ψ integrated in FEBio is defined in (5),…”

“…Ogden-Moerman) that can be used for soft tissue modelling (Alawneh et al, 2022) as well as higher order Ogden models. There is also potential for improvement in terms of computational efficiency and model stability.…”

“…Product development involving user behaviors or properties of the human body has traditionally been an iterative and empirical process (Grujicic et al, 2010). CAE (computer-aided engineering) can help reduce development costs and time, as it enables early preclinical verification, ethical assurance, reduction of repetitive patient involvement, and quantification of mechanisms of action (Wolf et al, 2020a;Alawneh et al, 2022). However, the study and optimization of the interfaces between biomechanical and technical systems is particularly complex, as the transferred values are directly influenced by the interaction between the geometry and mechanical properties of both the human tissue and the technical system (Haug et al, 2004;Portnoy et al, 2008;Moerman et al, 2016;Sadler et al, 2018;Fougeron et al, 2023).…”

On the Finite Element Modeling of the Lumbar Spine: A Schematic Review

“…The aim of this schematic review is to present the modelling methods of the spine in computational simulations, emphasizing the different anatomical components in relation to mechanical modelling, loading conditions, model verification, and validation approaches. The article proposed by Alawneh et al [35] is used as a benchmark for the framework adapted in the present schematic review.…”

Computational Biomechanics of Sleep: A Systematic Mapping Review

“…The strength of computational biomechanics in silico lies in its ability to facilitate a versatile platform for investigating the biomechanics of the body’s internal structure in a controlled environment with pre-assigned conditions and evaluating the sensitivity of different intrinsic or extrinsic factors to support design and clinical applications [ 27 ]. Computational modeling approaches employing the finite element (FE) method enable the modeling of irregular multiple geometries, complex material properties and loading conditions to explore pathomechanisms, predict treatment outcomes, and support designs [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ], which has been widely utilized in the fields of orthopedics [ 28 , 30 , 31 ], dentistry [ 34 , 35 ], pulmonary [ 32 ], otolaryngology [ 36 ], and design ergonomics [ 29 , 37 , 38 ]. The FE method works by splitting complex and irregular geometries into smaller and simpler components called FEs that are connected by a mesh, then predicting the mechanical responses towards a set of pre-assigned material properties and boundary and loading conditions on each element using mathematical equations.…”