Michael Koch

• 2009 Dipl.-Ing. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Kaiserslautern
• 2009 – 2011 PhD student, Computational Dynamics and Control, University of Kaiserslautern
• 2011 – 2015 PhD student, Chair of Applied Dynamics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
• 2015 Dr.-Ing. in Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

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• Simulation and optimal control of the dynamics of multibody systems in biomechanics and robotics

  (Third Party Funds Single)

  Term: 2008-12-01 - 2011-12-01
  Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Emmy-Noether-Programm (EIN-ENP)
  Abstract

  Simulation is of great importance when studying everyday or athletic motions with regard to improvements in ergonomics and performance. In particular for medical problems like analysing gait or optimising prostheses as well as for planning robot manoeuvres, simulation is often the only way to estimate the actuating and applied forces and torques. An approximate solution can only be as accurate as the underlying numerical method represents the system’s characteristic properties. If, for example, the energy required to perform a motion is a criterion of interest, the use of an energy consistent method is crucial. In purely forward dynamical simulations, here mechanical integrators are widely accepted. This project aims to develop and investigate new efficient and robust methods for the dynamic optimisation of movements that guarantee the inheritance of the real solution’s relevant properties by the approximated solution. The developed methods are applied to varying fields. Multirate integrators are developed that simulate different system parts with individual time steps saving computational time while accuracy remains unchanged. To realistically simulate motions of the human arm, Hill-type muscle models actuate the limbs. A semi-analytic algorithm approximating the muscle path allows its use in optimal control problems with physiologically motivated cost functions. Everyday motions like operating a steering wheel or lifting a weight, as well as sports motions like long throw and shot put, are optimised. Another main point is the simulation of the lower extremities. The modelled limbs are actuated by joint torques and contact problems where inelasticities and friction are taken into account. Monopedal jumping and human gait are investigated. Changing between open and closed kinematic loops (double stance phase versus swing phase) is described by different holonomic constraints that are active or passive in different phases. For the example of optimising a pole vault, the introduced method is applied to a flexible multibody system. It is shown that the developed methods are very effective and flexible and therefore a variety of problems can be investigated ranging from robotics over everyday human motion to athletics’ high performance motions.

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