A framework for effective face-mask contact modeling based on finite element analysis for custom design of a facial mask

A novel contact model is presented to efficiently solve a face-mask contact problem by using the finite element (FE) method for the optimized design of a custom facial mask. Simulation of contact pressure for various mask designs considering material properties of the face allows virtual evaluation...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2022-07, Vol.17 (7), p.e0270092-e0270092
Main Authors: Kwon, Yun-Jae, Kim, Jin-Gyun, Lee, Wonsup
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biology and Life Sciences
Body measurements
Condensates
Contact pressure
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Data collection
Design modifications
Design optimization
Empirical analysis
Evaluation
Face
Finite element analysis
Finite element method
Lagrange multiplier
Masks
Material properties
Medicine and Health Sciences
Modelling
Morphology
Physical Sciences
Pressure
Product design
Spline functions
Usability
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Summary:A novel contact model is presented to efficiently solve a face-mask contact problem by using the finite element (FE) method for the optimized design of a custom facial mask. Simulation of contact pressure for various mask designs considering material properties of the face allows virtual evaluation of the suitability of a mask design for a person’s face without conducting empirical measurement of the face-mask contact pressure. The proposed contact model is accomplished by combining three approaches to reduce the calculation cost of simulating the face-mask contact: (1) use of a simplified and modifiable mask model that applies a spline curve to design points; (2) reduction of the FE model of the face by applying static condensation; and (3) application of a contact assumption that uses the Lagrange multiplier method. A numerical case study of a medical mask design showed that the proposed model could calculate the face-mask contact pressure efficiently (0.0448 sec per design). In a pilot usability experiment, the measured contact pressure was found similar values (range of mean contact pressure: 0.0093 ~ 0.0150 MPa) to the estimated values (range of mean contact pressure: 0.0097 ~ 0.0116 MPa).
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0270092