Trauma Biomechanics

Course Information

• Course Title: Trauma Biomechanics
• Course Code: 2014471-01
• Credits: 3
• Level: MSc
• Class Schedule: Sunday 8:00-10:00 & Monday 14:00-16:00
• Class Location: Class 30
• Instructor: Seyed Sadjad Abedi-Shahri
  • Email: AbediSadjad@gmail.com
  • Telegram: @Sad4Abd
• Lecture Materials: Provided weekly via LMS

Course Overview

This course introduces the biomechanical principles underlying traumatic injuries of the human body under high-rate and impact loading. Emphasis is placed on injury mechanisms, injury criteria, and models used in trauma biomechanics, including numerical, experimental, analytical, and systems-level approaches.

The course adopts a model-driven and interpretation-focused philosophy, enabling students to analyze trauma problems. Students will engage with realistic injury scenarios drawn from automotive safety, sports, occupational accidents, and protective equipment design.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Explain major traumatic injury mechanisms across different anatomical regions
• Interpret and apply commonly used injury criteria and injury metrics
• Compare experimental, numerical, analytical, and systems-level models in trauma biomechanics
• Critically evaluate trauma biomechanics studies and standards
• Design and justify injury assessment or prevention strategies under real-world constraints
• Communicate biomechanical reasoning clearly, including assumptions and limitations

Syllabus (Topics)

1. Module 1 - Foundations of Trauma Biomechanics
2. Module 2 - Methods in Trauma Biomechanics
3. Module 3 - Head and Brain Trauma
4. Module 4 - Spine and Thoracic Trauma
5. Module 5 - Abdomen and Extremities
6. Module 6 - Special Topics and Synthesis

References

Schmitt, K.U., Niederer, P.F., Cronin, D.S., Muser, M.H., Walz, F. Trauma Biomechanics: An Introduction to Injury Biomechanics, 5th ed.

Evaluation Scheme

• Final Project: 50%
  • Individual project, chosen from structured project cards
  • Includes report and oral presentation
• Final Exam: 50%
  • Conceptual and interpretive questions

This course uses continuous assessment through a major project rather than frequent quizzes.

Project Structure

Each student selects one project from a curated set of project cards, organized into four equally valued pathways:

• 🟦 Numerical / Computational Modeling (FEM)
  • Simplified Finite Element Model of Head Impact for Injury Assessment
  • Finite Element Simulation of Whiplash Injury and Neck Injury Criteria
  • Finite Element Simulation of Thoracic Compression and Injury Criteria
  • Finite Element Simulation of Femur or Pelvic Impact Injury Using Force-Based Criteria
• 🟩 Experimental / Proof-of-Concept Design
  • Low-Cost Head Injury Dummy - Proof-of-Concept Design
  • Helmet Testing Rig - Helmet Testing Rig - Conceptual Design and Experimental Evaluation Protocol
  • Thoracic Impact Test Setup - Proof-of-Concept Design for Injury Assessment
  • Whiplash Sled Test System - Proof-of-Concept Design and Evaluation Framework
• 🟨 Data-Driven / Analytical Modeling
  • Comparative Evaluation of Head Injury Criteria in Traumatic Impacts
  • Development of a Simplified Mechanical (Lumped-Parameter) Model for Traumatic Injury Analysis
  • Meta-Analysis of Sports Injury Mechanisms from a Biomechanical Perspective
  • Uncertainty, Sensitivity, and Robustness in Traumatic Injury Assessment
• 🟥 Prevention, Design & Systems Thinking
  • Conceptual Design of a Trauma Biomechanics Laboratory
  • Design Study of Seatbelt or Padding Systems for Injury Mitigation
  • Standards-Based Critique and Redesign Proposal for Injury Assessment
  • Helmet Safety Evaluation Framework: Injury Metrics, Protocols, and Design Trade-offs

All pathways:

• Have comparable difficulty
• Use pathway-specific grading rubrics
• Are equally weighted in assessment

See the Project Cards document and the guide “How to Choose Your Project Pathway” for details.

Project Timeline & Milestones

The course project is a semester-long individual project designed to support deep, mature engagement with trauma biomechanics.
Project assessment combines process-based milestones with final quality-based evaluation, and applies equally to all project pathways.

Overall Grading Context

• Final Exam: 50% of course grade
• Project (total): 50% of course grade

Important:
The detailed grading rubric provided in each Project Card is applied only to the final written report and oral presentation.
Early milestones are assessed using simplified criteria focused on progress, clarity, and appropriate scope.

Week 1-2 | Project Orientation

• Introduction to project pathways and expectations
• Release of:
  • Project Cards (all projects)
  • “How to Choose Your Project Pathway” guide
• Discussion of grading philosophy and examples

📌 No graded deliverables

Week 3 | Project Selection

• Students review all project cards
• Each student submits:
  • Ranked list of three preferred projects
  • Brief justification (2-3 sentences per choice)

📌 Instructor confirms project assignments
📌 Not graded

Week 4 | Project Proposal (Milestone 1)

Deliverable: Short written proposal (2-3 pages)

Must include:

• Selected project card and pathway
• Problem statement and objectives
• Planned approach and scope
• Key assumptions and anticipated challenges

Assessment focus:

• Clarity of problem definition
• Appropriate project scope
• Feasibility of the proposed approach

📊 Weight: 5% of course grade

Week 6-7 | Mid-Project Review (Milestone 2)

Deliverable: Progress review (written summary or oral meeting)

Should cover:

• Work completed to date
• Preliminary analysis, design, or concepts
• Identified difficulties or limitations
• Revised plan if needed

Assessment focus:

• Evidence of meaningful progress
• Quality of reasoning and engagement
• Awareness of limitations and challenges

📊 Weight: 10% of course grade

Week 11-12 | Draft Check (Optional, Not Graded)

• Informal submission of:
  • report outline,
  • preliminary figures or concepts,
  • early results or designs
• Feedback provided by the instructor

📌 Strongly recommended but not graded

Final Week | Final Submission & Presentation (Milestone 3)

Final Written Report

• Length: 20-25 pages (excluding appendices)
• Evaluated using the Project Card grading rubric

📊 Weight: 25% of course grade

Oral Presentation & Discussion

• Duration: 15-20 minutes + discussion
• Evaluated using presentation-related criteria from the Project Card rubric

📊 Weight: 10% of course grade

Summary of Project Assessment

General Notes

• All milestones apply equally to all project pathways
• Projects are individual by default
• Final project quality is evaluated using pathway-specific rubrics
• Early milestones are designed to support learning, not penalize exploration

A successful project is one that is well-scoped, well-argued, and intellectually honest.

Session Outline

Policies

1. Attendance is recommended but not mandatory.
2. Active participation in discussions is encouraged.
3. Collaboration in discussion is allowed; all submitted work must be individual.
4. Academic integrity is strictly enforced. Plagiarism or misrepresentation will not be tolerated.