Abstract
A Finite element (FE) model of a human middle ear is developed, assessed, and updated using a statistical approach. The model consists of three ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes), a tympanic membrane, tendons, and ligaments. The uncertainty of the model input parameters associated with the material properties and boundary conditions are considered in order to assess the validity of the model. The variation of the umbo displacement transfer function (UDTF) as a result of the uncertainty of the model input parameters is estimated and compared with those from experiments. Using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a three-level orthogonal array, the most important calibration parameters, which are composed of stiffness-related and density variables, are selected. Furthermore, a metric for statistical calibration is introduced. Through minimizing the calibration metric, the calibration parameters are updated in order to enhance the performance of the middle ear FE model. The proposed statistical calibration framework effectively improves the middle ear FE model performance.
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Dooho Lee received his B.S. degree from Seoul National University (Korea) in 1988, his M.S. from KAIST (Korea) in 1990, and his Ph.D. from KAIST (Korea) in 1994. He worked for Samsung Motors, Inc. (1995-1999), and is currently a professor in Dongeui University. His research focuses on the design optimization of structural-acoustic systems, uncertainty propagation in dynamic problems, and sound transfer characteristics in human hearing systems.
Tae-Soo Ahn received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Dongeui University, Korea in 2005, 2008, and 2012, respectively. He is a researcher in SEGI Engineering Inc., Korea. He has an interest in NVH system measurements and the sound transfer characteristics in human hearing system.
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Lee, D., Ahn, TS. Statistical calibration of a finite element model for human middle ear. J Mech Sci Technol 29, 2803–2815 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-015-0609-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-015-0609-9