Computer-Based Simulation of a Human Falling on a Stairway

Abstract

A numerical simulation of a mathematical model of a human falling (plane motion) down a stairway is described. The simulation begins with an arbitrary initial state of the falling object, and numerically integrates equations of motion for the object as it falls and repeatedly strikes the stairway. Realistic simulation requires the use of nonlinear resistance to join rotations. This nonlinearity is being investigated.