TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: STK-FY09-06

OBJECTIVE: To develop comprehensive high fidelity physics based digital human model to simulate human movement, study behind armor blunt trauma as well as the internal effects of ballistic penetration.

DESCRIPTION: The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has been investigating modeling efforts as a means to produce cost effective tools which will be utilized during design and evaluation of personal protective equipment. In this instance, digital human models assist armor and equipment designers to prove concepts, fitment and interfaces relating to body armor, combat helmets and other related protective equipment. Models exist which simulate human motion based on different inputs such as the load/weight a person is carrying and where on the body that load is located. On-going efforts are exploring the integration of CAD models into the simulations to interact with the avatar. This capability will enable affordable integration and evaluation of novel armor concepts by means of a software suite during the design phase of new armor solutions. The tool will allow for down selection of concepts prior to physical demonstrations. Once validated, these simulation tools will significantly reduce the time and cost to design and integrate new armor concepts with current and new equipment.

The funding of this requirement would be utilized to expound on the current digital human modeling effort under an ONR FNC. The current model is a physics based predictive model utilized to evaluate human motion under different loading conditions. The tool can predict human motion during predetermined tasks. In addition the model will be integrated into other existing casualty prediction models. The model will also be enhanced to be anatomically correct. To date all modeling efforts, such as the Air Force Total Body Model, are static, meaning the position of the avatar is not altered during the event. The benefits of this proposed effort over existing efforts are as follows:
� Dynamic predictive physics based motion to be incorporated into existing casualty predictions tools
� Digital human model which is anthropometrically and anatomically correct
� Motion prediction model which will be utilized to design new personal protective equipment.
� Streamlining of equipment designs � Form, fit and function can be optimized before prototyping. This is a valuable down selection tool for armor designers and will leverage work currently being completed under an ONR FNC.

To reduce the time from defining requirements to concept development and implementation, it is imperative that the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have a virtual human and protective equipment simulation suite. The proposed work will revolve around improving digital human modeling to further the Office of Naval Research�s personal protection and mitigation efforts. Areas of improvement desired include, but are not limited to the following: validation, motion simulation, posture predicted motion, improved realism, simulation of complex and applied dynamic tasks for evaluating armor performance, implementing soft armor components, increased fidelity of biomechanics and physiology, as well as modeling of anatomy. The goal is to refine and advance digital human modeling so it can be utilized as a reliable prediction tool when evaluating personal protective equipment.

PHASE I: Provide an initial development effort that demonstrates scientific merit and capabilities of simulating a high fidelity digital human along with soft armor modeling.

PHASE II: Create modeling simulation suite based on defined obtainable objectives identified in Phase I. Validate simulation software against other existing modeling efforts to verify outputs of model. Create a Phase III plan to validate modeling simulation suite against experimental data for ballistic armor. Obtain user input relating to interface and desired operation of software.

PHASE III: Collaborate with government and industry to execute a full scale validation of model developed during Phase I and II. Conduct user evaluation and refine interface, inputs and outputs.

DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Successful development of a high fidelity digital human model will translate to other government and industry applications. Potential applications for the model include: vehicle and aircraft simulations, equipment development and anthropometric studies.

REFERENCES:
1. H. Onan Demirel, Vincent G. Duffy, Digital Human Modeling for Product Lifecycle Management, Purdue University, West Lafeyette, IN, 2007.

2. http://www.ccad.uiowa.edu/vsr/

KEYWORDS: Physics-based Predictive Modeling, Digital Human Modeling, Surrogate, Ballistic, Body Armor, Personal Protection.

Questions may also be submitted through DoD SBIR/STTR SITIS website.