Published: 30 September 2011

Measurement and comparison of energy of mechanical vibrations absorbed by humans

V. Fliegel1
R. Martonka2
J. Petrik3
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Abstract

Human body responds to mechanical vibrations differently. Vibrations cause various types of damage to human organism. There are two main types of effects: short-term and longterm ones. The former cause tiredness, drowsiness and focus loss. While the latter induce mechanical damage to the individual organs such as skeleton, joints, nervous system. Influence of mechanical vibrations on human body is assessed by different parameters including amplitude, frequency, duration of action, acceleration etc. The next evaluation parameter might be energy. This article reports on the laboratory measurements of absorption of mechanical vibrations by humans. From our perspective, the short-time damage to human is mainly caused by absorption of vibrational energy and long-term damage - by mechanical vibration itself. A bio-dynamic system represents human body located in an automobile seat. The source of vibrations simulates car body movements generated during driving. The energy is measured in several levels because of the description of energy flow system. The primary aim is to determinate the level of the vibrational energy that enters into a human body and is subsequently absorbed. This is considered in terms of level and spectrum of input mechanical vibrations. Based on the findings, it is possible to evaluate the level of absorbed energy and compare for the sample of population.

About this article

Received
02 May 2011
Accepted
05 September 2011
Published
30 September 2011
Keywords
mechanical vibrations
energy
dissipation
bio-dynamic system
tiredness