Abstract
The main objective of this study is to present a user-friendly computerized biomechanical static model which can be used to estimate the forces and the moments at the major joints of the human body. The model estimates the compression and the shearing forces at the L5/S1 using three different approaches. Both symmetric and asymmetric postures can be analyzed. The symmetric model consists of seven links that represent the hands, lower arms, upper arms, trunk, upper legs, lower legs, and the head. In the asymmetric model, two more links were incorporated to represent the left and the right legs. The user has the choice to run the analysis for a given individual or for a percentile of the population. The program can be used for industrial applications and work place design. It can be also utilized in comparing different methods of performing a specific task.
