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Week 11

The document discusses the biomechanics of the elbow and forearm, focusing on the roles of the biceps and triceps muscles in elbow movement. It includes calculations for the forces involved when holding a weight, emphasizing the equilibrium of forces and torques. The final results provide the magnitude and direction of the reaction force at the joint when a 14 kg weight is held.

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4 views

Week 11

The document discusses the biomechanics of the elbow and forearm, focusing on the roles of the biceps and triceps muscles in elbow movement. It includes calculations for the forces involved when holding a weight, emphasizing the equilibrium of forces and torques. The final results provide the magnitude and direction of the reaction force at the joint when a 14 kg weight is held.

Uploaded by

yousseeffmahmoouudd
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Pharos University in Alexandria

Faculty of Applied Health Sciences


Fall 2023 - 2024

Biomechanics (HEBI-201)
Biomechanics of the Elbow and Forearm
Dr. Ahmed Elqady

Dept. of Biomedical Equipment Technology


Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Technology
Pharos University
Biomechanics of the Elbow and
Forearm

The elbow joint functions as a link between the


shoulder and wrist providing an exceptional amount
of stability and motion.
Forearm

Elbow
The Elbow
The two most important muscles producing elbow
movement are the biceps and the triceps.

The contraction of the triceps causes an extension, or


opening, of the elbow, while contraction of the biceps
closes the elbow.

In our analysis of the elbow, we will consider the


action of only these two muscles.
The Elbow: mechanics view point
The weight pulls the arm
downward.

Therefore, the muscle force


acting on the forearm must
be in the up direction.

Accordingly, the prime


active muscle is the biceps. Weight
The Elbow: mechanics view point
A simplified diagram of
this arm position.

The dimensions shown


are reasonable for a
human arm, but they will,
of course, vary from
person to person.
Force representation and calculation

We will calculate, under the conditions of


equilibrium, the pulling force (Fm) exerted by the
biceps muscle and the direction and magnitude of
the reaction force (Fr) at the (the joint).
Lever representation of the Elbow and
Forearm
x-y
plane
The Elbow Problem
Consider the situation when the arm holds 14-kg
weights, Calculate the force of the biceps muscle
and the reaction force with its angle.
In this problem we have three unknown
quantities: 1- muscle force Fm,
2-reaction force at the fulcrum Fr,
3- and the angle ϕ (direction of Fr force).
The Elbow Problem: Force resolution
For equilibrium, the sum of the x and y
components of the forces must each be zero.
30 cm
Fr sin(φ) Fm sin(θ)

Fr cos(φ) Fm cos(θ)

4 cm

40 cm
The Elbow Problem: Force resolution
Fr sin(φ) Fm sin(θ)

Fr cos(φ) Fm cos(θ)
In equilibrium, the torque about any point must
be zero. For convenience, we will choose the
fulcrum (the joint) as the point for our torque
balance.
The torque about the joint must be zero.

There are two torques about this point:


1- a clockwise torque due to the weight
2- a counterclockwise torque due to the vertical
y component of the muscle force.
τ1

Fm sin(θ)

τ2
At equilibrium:
τ1=τ2
(4* 10-2 ) Fm sin(θ)= (40* 10-2 ) W
•Since the reaction force Fr acts at the joint, it does not
produce a torque about this point.
•With a mass of 14 kg weight in hand: the weight

W = 14 x 9.8= 137.2 (N)


(4* 10-2 ) Fm sin(80)= (40* 10-2 ) *137.2
Fm=1393.17 N
The Elbow Problem:
Calculating the unknown quantities
The solutions of (eq. 1) provide the magnitude and
direction of the reaction force Fr

Fr cos(ϕ)= 1393.17 * cos(80) = 241.92 1


Also:
Fr sin(ϕ)= Fm sin(θ) –W= 1393.17*sin(80)-137.2
Fr sin(ϕ)= 1234.799 2
Therefore:
Fr sin(ϕ)= 1234.799
Fr cos(ϕ)=241.92
= tan(ϕ)=5.104 ϕ= 78.92 o
Therefore:
Fr sin(78.92)= 1234.8
Fr = 1258.25 N

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