DEVELOPMENT OF A BIOMECHANICAL FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS (FEA) MODEL USING OPEN-SOURCE SOFTWARE FEBio

This study develops a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model of the human ankle using FEBio to simulate biomechanical responses under under-body blast (UBB) conditions. FEBio’s advanced capabilities enable accurate modeling of soft tissue mechanics, bone structures, and non-linear material properties. The model incorporates detailed anatomical structures and material properties from literature and experiments to capture interactions between bones, cartilage, and ligaments. Simulations under UBB conditions assess axial stress and contact forces, identifying high-risk injury zones. Results show stress concentrations at the upper tibia during vehicle acceleration and at the calcaneus upon ground impact, aligning with clinical injury data. Future work will focus on experimental validation and refining material properties. Insights from this study will inform protective strategies to reduce lower limb injuries. This research advances understanding of injury mechanisms and stress distribution, contributing to military safety and biomechanical applications in injury prevention. This summary contains 142 words.