ME30640: Mechanics Of Human Body

ME30640
Course name	Mechanics of Human Body
Offered by	Department of Mechanical Engineering
Credits	4
L-T-P	3-1-0
Professor(s)	Sanjay Gupta
Venue(s)	NC 232
Previous Year Grade Distribution
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Semester	{{{semester}}}

Syllabus

Syllabus mentioned in ERP

Introduction to Biomechanics: Basic terminology and concept of human musculoskeletal system, anatomy and overall function. Biomechanics of Tissues and Structures of musculoskeletal system – composition, structure and biomechanical behaviour: bone, articular cartilage, muscle, tendon and ligament.; Biomechanics of joints – structure, range of motions, musculoskeletal model of forces: (i) hip; (ii) knee; (iii) shoulder; (iv)elbow; (v) spine. Lubrication of joints. Motion and gait analysis – method, gait cycle, segmental kinetics, engineering approaches to posture analysis. Joint replacement and fracture fixation – stress analysis and basic design approach, failure mechanisms, wear in joint arthroplasty, bone remodelling, biomaterials – properties and application.

Concepts taught in class

Mechanics of Human Body is a subject that applies the concepts mechanical engineering to the human body. We start with the presumption that the human body is a machine with links, joints and actuators. The course topics till mid-semester include:

1. Types of joints
   1. Synovial
   2. Cartilaginous
   3. Fibrous
2. Muscles and Tendons
3. Joints:
   1. Knee
   2. Shoulder
   3. Elbow
   4. Hip

There is also elaborate discussion on prosthetics, sports biomechanics.

Student Opinion

This is an extremely interesting subject, the lectures are short, non-boring, and icky(when he tells you about the different ways to tear ligaments). Also, you'll get to play with fibre replicas of different joints and bones.

Fun trivia:

1. There're ligaments in the knee called anterior and posterior cruciate(like "cruciatus") ligaments, which have a role in the osteoarthritis pain
2. Most of the joints in our body are unstable, such as the shoulder/glenohumeral joint, and can displace with little disruption.

How to Crack the Paper

1. Practice previous years' questions papers, over 80% is repeated verbatim.
2. For shoulder/knee/elbow/hip, remember the following
   1. muscles, ligaments,tendons and bones
   2. names and types of all joints
   3. degrees of freedom

Classroom resources

All classroom resources are updated on Google Drive and shared by the professor.

Suggested reference books

Nordin & Frankel