Analysis of Factors Affecting Parachute Landing Injuries Based on Finite Element Modeling

doi:10.12382/bgxb.2024.0381

Abstract

Abstract:

The parachute landing injuries of paratroopers have been a focal point in aviation medicine and special medical studies.It is very important to investigate the biomechanical mechanisms of landing injuries for the protection and prevention of parachute landing injuries.The factors influencing the lower limb injuries of paratroopers subjected to landing impact are numerically simulated by using the global human body models consortium (GHBMC) full-body finite element model.The findings indicate that the long bones of the lower limbs such as femur and tibia are less likely to be injured during normal landing impact.However,the calcaneus,talus and meniscus are susceptible to injury due to compression from the long bones,and the vulnerable area includes the medial tubercle of calcaneus,the trochlea of talus,and the anterior horn of lateral meniscus.The study also reveals the variations in injury mechanisms in different landing scenarios.The descent speed significantly affects ground impact forces,thereby greatly increasing the probability of stress fractures in the long bones of lower limbs.The horizontal wind speed can alter the center of gravity to increase the likelihood of ankle injuries.The ground conditions influence the duration of impact contact,increasing the probability of injuries to the ankle,particularly the calcaneus.

Key words: paratrooper, parachuting, landing injury, biomechanical mechanism, lower limb injury

CLC Number:

R857

REN Hailong, CAO Shuanghui, PENG Han, DOU Qingbo, SUO Tao. Analysis of Factors Affecting Parachute Landing Injuries Based on Finite Element Modeling[J]. Acta Armamentarii, 2025, 46(4): 240381-.

Figures/Tables 24

Fig.1 GHBMC full-body finite element model

Fig.2 Posture adjustment of human finite element model

Fig.3 Human landing impact finite element model

Table 1 General information of subjects

志愿者编号	年龄/岁	身高/cm	体重/kg	有无伤病史
1	22	176	72.6	无
2	23	173	74.2	无
3	22	177	75.3	无

Fig.4 Location of reflective marker points

Table 2 Comparison of platform landing experiemnts and simulations

时间/ms	实验结果	仿真结果
0
40
80
120

Fig.5 Comparison of experimental and simulated GRFs at different platform heights

Fig.6 Comparison of experimental and simulated knee joint motion angles at different platform heights

Fig.7 Comparison of experimental and simulated ankle joint motion angles at different platform heights

Table 3 Simulation parameter settings for analysis of descent speed effect

下降速度/ (m·s^-1)	着陆地面	地面密度/ (kg·m^-3)	地面模量/ GPa	地面泊松比
3	混凝土	2500	30	0.3
5	混凝土	2500	30	0.3
7	混凝土	2500	30	0.3

Table 4 Simulation parameter settings for analysis of horizontal wind speed effect

下降速度/ (m·s^-1)	水平风速/ (m·s^-1)	着陆地面	地面密度/ (kg·m^-3)	地面模量/ GPa	地面泊松比
6	4	混凝土	2500	30	0.3
6	2	混凝土	2500	30	0.3
6	0	混凝土	2500	30	0.3

Table 5 Simulation parameter settings for analysis of ground condition effect

下降速度/ (m·s^-1)	着陆地面	地面密度/ (kg·m^-3)	地面模量/ GPa	地面泊松比
6	软黏土	1600	0.01	0.4
6	粉砂岩	2160	0.2	0.3
6	混凝土	2500	30	0.3

Table 6 Injury criteria for lower limb

下肢损伤准则	损伤评价指标	损伤阈值/kN	损伤概率 (简明损伤定级标准2+)
股骨力准则	股骨轴向力	10.00	$1 1 + e 5.7949 - 0.5196 F$
胫骨压缩力准则	胫骨近端轴向力	8.00	$1 1 + e 0.5204 - 0.8189 F + 0.0686 m$
足踝损伤准则	胫骨远端轴向力	7.59	$1 1 + e 4.572 - 0.670 F$

Table 6 Injury criteria for lower limb

下肢损伤准则	损伤评价指标	损伤阈值/kN	损伤概率 (简明损伤定级标准2+)
股骨力准则	股骨轴向力	10.00	$1 1 + e 5.7949 - 0.5196 F$
胫骨压缩力准则	胫骨近端轴向力	8.00	$1 1 + e 0.5204 - 0.8189 F + 0.0686 m$
足踝损伤准则	胫骨远端轴向力	7.59	$1 1 + e 4.572 - 0.670 F$

Fig.8 Data extraction locations for three injury assessment criteria

Fig.9 Comparison of kinematic data at different descent speeds during landing

Fig.10 Comparison of lower limb injury indices during landing at different descent speeds

Fig.11 Comparison of peak stress in calcaneus,talus,and meniscus at different descent speeds

Fig.12 Comparison of kinematic data at different wind speeds during landing

Fig.13 Displacement of human center of mass at different wind speeds

Fig.14 Comparison of lower limb injury indices during landing at different wind speeds

Fig.15 Comparison of peak stresses in calcaneus,talus, and meniscus at different wind speeds

Fig.16 Comparison of kinematic data at different ground conditions during landing

Fig.17 Comparison of lower limb injury indices during landing at different ground conditions

Fig.18 Comparison of peak stresses in calcaneus,talus, and meniscus at different ground conditions

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