Objective Seat Comfort Assessment using Finite Element Human Body Model Simulations

Abstract

Finite Element (FE) Human Body Models (HBMs) are used for crash safety assessment but are potential tools for seat comfort assessment. However, it is unclear what parameters from such simulations that predict comfort. In this thesis, potential modifications of a HBM are outlined to make it more suitable for seat comfort assessment. The thesis also proposes an objective method for predicting seat comfort using a HBM and models of car seats. The fat and muscle material models were updated in a HBM to potentially enable proper modelling of trunk to seat cushion interactions. Then, based on data in relevant literature an objective method for predicting seat comfort was suggested. The displacement ratio for the backrest, defined as the ratio between maximum and average displacement, measured from seat comfort simulations, showed the highest average correlation with subjective comfort scores measured in past volunteer tests. The maximum von Mises stress in the simulated buttocks muscles showed the second highest average correlation with comfort scores. Due to a lack of validation data and multiple error sources in the seat comfort simulations, further research is needed before any significant conclusions can be drawn regarding objective seat comfort prediction.