Modal parameters of the human hand-arm using finite element and operational modal analysis

Research Laboratory in Machinery, Process and Structural Dynamics (DYNAMO), Mechanical Engineering Department, Ecole de Technologie Superieure 1100 Notre-Dame Street West, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 1K3, Canada

^a Corresponding author: marc.thomas@etsmtl.ca

Received: 17 June 2013
Accepted: 15 May 2014

Abstract

This study presents a finite element (FE) model of the human hand-arm system to derive natural frequencies and mode shapes. The FE model is calibrated by considering modal parameters 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 that permits shoulder motion are comparable with those determined from measurements. Especially, the natural frequency about 12 Hz, which is corresponding to the frequency of maximum weight in ISO-5349-1 (2001), is not present in the model with fixed shoulder condition, while it appears in the second model. 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.