Course info

Description: This PhD course introduces techniques for modeling of musculoskeletal systems based on multibody dynamics. The course takes a bottom-up approach beginning with kinematics of open and closed chains and ending with analysis of complex and anatomically realistic models. The course uses the AnyBody Modeling System throughout and contains an introduction to this system. The course contents are the following:

Monday: Kinematics

1. Degrees of freedom and constraints
2. Orientations in 3D
3. Open and closed chains
4. Forward and inverse kinematics
5. The Cartesian formulation
6. Brief intro to the AnyScript language
7. Defining and analyzing simple kinematic models in AnyBody
8. Introduction to redundant kinematics
9. Motion capture-driven models
10. Definition of force platforms

Tuesday: Kinetics

1. Dynamic equilibrium equations
2. Forward and inverse dynamics
3. Statically determinate and indeterminate systems
4. Simple kinetic analysis in AnyBody
5. Muscle recruitment
6. Definition and analysis of simple muscle systems in AnyBody

Wednesday: Muscle systems

1. Muscle kinematics
2. Muscle models
3. Calibration of muscle-tendon units
4. Creative use of muscles for balance and contact

Thursday morning: Building models with the repository

1. Repository structure
2. Models with humans in environments
3. Using toolbox templates
4. Adding GRF prediction to models

Thursday afternoon: Validation and verification

1. Direct and indirect methods
2. Validation metrics
3. Trend validation

Friday morning: Individualization of models

1. Geometrical scaling
2. Morphing
Friday afternoon:
1. Introduction of assignment

Organizer: Professor John Rasmussen, jr@mp.aau.dk
Lecturers: John Rasmussen, Mark de Zee, Michael Skipper Andersen
ECTS: 4.0
Time: 5-9 October, 2020 
Place: Department of Materials and Production
Deadline: 14 September, 2020
Price: DKK 500 for non-AAU participants to cover coffee and refreshments. DKK 4000 for industrial and non-university participants.
Max. No. of participants: 30.

Each participant must bring a reasonably modern laptop on which software can be installed.

Important information concerning PhD courses: We have over some time experienced problems with no-show for both project and general courses. It has now reached a point where we are forced to take action. Therefore, the Doctoral School has decided to introduce a no-show fee of DKK 5,000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before start. This can hopefully also provide new students a chance to register for courses during the year. We look forward to your registrations.