Effect of geometrical and mechanical parameters of ribs submitted to high velocity impact. A numerical investigation

Abstract

In this paper, the dynamic behaviors of porcine ribs under three-point bending were investigated based on finite element simulations. Using finite element modeling, three-point bending Split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus was established and then implemented in FEM software in order to reproduce experimental configurations. Sensitivity studies were conducted to investigate the effects of geometrical and mechanical parameters such as cortical thickness, curvature radius and strain rate on dynamic behaviors of ribs. The numerical results of force-displacement relationship and fracture pattern of ribs correspond well with the experimental data in the literature.

Keywords:

• Dynamic impact
• finite element analysis
• porcine ribs
• rib fracture
• sensitivity study
• split Hopkinson pressure bar