SBIR-STTR Award

We proposed to develop a microcomputer based integrated software system for use by engineers working on crewmember ejection and car crash problems. The proposed system will be an interactive, menudriven system made up of several modules. We propose to develop this system on anintel 80386 based microcomputer. The proposed system will comprise of modules which will allow the analyst to develop anthropometric data for crewmembers, a simulation program, the atb, whose output will consist of kinematic variables associated with motion of various body segments and appropriate post processing modules. The output of the simulation module can be plotted on the screen or dumped to a printer, or viewed as tabular data. The gross motion of the body segments during the simulation can also be viewed on the screen or dumped out to a printer. The final version of this system will also include a finite element model(s) which will allow the analyst to map the output data from the atb simulation into injury measures. This final module will be developed in phase ii based on literature search to be carried out in phase i.

In Phase I, we developed a prototype of Dynaman based on the Articulated Total Body (ATB) model. Dynaman can be based on Intel 80286 and 80386 based machines with appropriate math coprocessors. Based on our experience in Phase I, and our survey of ATB users in the government and the industry, we propose to continue work in Phase II in three stages. In stage 1, we will develop enhancements to the user interface, complete implementation of the full ATB model on microcomputers and test and validate Dynaman. In stage 2, we will develop several enhancements to Dynaman such as an increase in the number of segments that can be modelled, developing modules to model restraint system fittings such as retractors and d rings, integrating neuromusculature calculations and a finite element formulation of the seat. In stage 3, we will implement Dynaman in a multi-user, multi-tasking environment and develop a video interface to produce animation sequences of the motion of the occupant using a VCR.