Natural Frequencies of the Human Hand-Arm System using Finite Element Method and Experimental Modal Analysis

This study presents a Finite Element (FE) model of the human hand-arm system to compute modal parameters. The FE model is calibrated by considering natural frequencies obtained from experimental vibration analyzed by using Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) and transmissibility. Modal and harmonic analyses of the FE model are performed for two boundary conditions. The first one considers fixed shoulder condition while the second one introduces the trunk in order to permit motion of the shoulder. The results show that the natural frequencies of the second model are comparable with those determined from measurements. The results of the present study suggest that improved finite element models of the human hand-arm system may reveal hand-arm injury mechanism, the understanding of which may assist in deriving appropriate frequency weightings for the assessment of different components of the hand-arm vibration syndrome.

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