Modelos numericos antropormoficos da coluna vertebral e do membro superior Aplicacoes em Ergonomia

The main oblective of this thesis is the development of numerical models for the simulation of the kinematics and dynamics of human movement and of the body response to mechanical loading. These models are intended mainly for applications in Ergonomics and were designed by resorting to techniques developed in Robotics and Structural Analysis. we have simultaneously developed computer programs with the pre- and post-processing capabilities necessary for making the models user friendly. The body segments and articular joints are modelled on the mechanical properties of the corresponding anatomical segments an the body movements are simulated in the basis of the temporal evolution of the inter-segmental angles. This information is provided by experimental data or synthesised by the model -with thus makes possible to investigate the sensitivity of the behaviour to the kinematical and dynamical conditions imposed by the work activity. The results provided by these models include the simulation of the postures and movements which result from the human activity and the evaluation of the mechanical p+arameters-forces, moments, tensions, velocities, accelarations and inertial reactions - wich are associated with these movements ansd condition their ergonomic qualityAvailable from Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia, Servico de Informacao e Documentacao, Av. D. Carlos I, 126, 1200 Lisboa / FCT - Fundação para o Ciência e a TecnologiaSIGLEPTPortuga