This week, Ben LeBlanc, 4th year PhD candidate in Structural Engineering under
Dr. Eric Hernandez, addresses ground reaction force (GRF) and its impact on runners.

ABSTRACT: Ground reaction force (GRF) is the fundamental process that allows for biomechanical motion such as walking, hopping, and running. At every footfall an equal and opposite GRF is distributed to the musculoskeletal system. This puts the musculoskeletal system under biomechanical stresses that can either lead to positive adaptations such as increased bone density and stiffness or negative adaptations such as overuse injuries at the tissue
or skeletal level. This presentation proposes a methodology to estimate and predict the GRF of a runner in near-real time. A dual Kalman Filter is formulated to calculate the unknown excitation, while an Unscented Kalman Filter estimates the augmented state vector using the calculated excitation. The augmented state vector includes the modeled leg stiffness. From the estimated GRF, the evolution of mechanical fatigue can be monitored. The methodology is tested using an instrumented treadmill with system response measurements at the sacrum.

BIO: Ben LeBlanc is 4th year PhD candidate in Structural Engineering under Dr. Eric Hernandez. He is part of the IGERT program which concluded this past summer. His research focuses on designing a fatigue monitoring framework for structural and biomechanical systems. As an avid runner he is able to combine his running knowledge with his expertise in estimating mechanical fatigue. For his bachelor’s degree he partook in a 3+2 engineering combined plan program with St. Lawrence University and Columbia University where he received degrees in Math, Physics and Mechanical Engineering.

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