FE model and operational modal analysis of lower limbs

International audienceFeatured Application: In the field of public transport and sports, the development of specific materials able to absorb the modal frequencies identified in this paper will help decrease the amount of vibrations received by the human lower limbs. For example, shoes made of this material in running activities could prevent, or at least significantly decrease, injuries such as tibial stress syndrome. Moreover, the proposed model could be used to simulate dynamic solicitations stemming from different foot-strike patterns during running activities and, thus, to decrease stresses in the lower limb. Abstract: Human lower limbs are exposed to vibrations on a daily basis, during work, transport or sports. However, most of the FE (Finite Elements) and OMA (Operational Modal Analysis) studies focus either on the whole body or on the hand-arm system. The study presented herein aims at identifying the modal parameters of the lower limbs using a 2D FE model updated using OMA. A numerical model is proposed, and a modal analysis has been performed on 11 subjects. Two repeatable modal frequencies were extracted: 52.54 ± 2.05 Hz and 118.94 ± 2.70 Hz, which were used to update the mechanical properties of the numerical model. The knowledge of these modal characteristics makes it possible to design new equipment that would absorb these specific vibrations and possibly reduce the risk of related diseases in the field of sports and transport