Validation Methods and Metrics for Biodynamics Modeling

Problems with the validation of biodynamics modeling and simulation are addressed in this paper. The wavelet analysis is introduced to the point-point comparison, a way of validating biodynamic responses. Biodynamic responses from the actual tests and the model simulations are decomposed on the wavelet or wavelet packet basis. The agreement between the simulation results and test data is evaluated in terms of the signal energy distributions and the correlation functions, which are determined from the wavelet or wavelet packet decompositions. Metrics are developed for the quantitative evaluation. The multi-resolution analysis provided by the wavelet decomposition can be used to effectively handle the model validation at different levels of accuracy and detail. The use of the methods and metrics is illustrated through the validation of a finite element automobile crash model.