A finite-element model of vocal-fold vibration

TLDR

The study develops a finite‑element model of the vocal fold based on continuum mechanics to predict its oscillatory behavior. The model incorporates inhomogeneous, anisotropic material properties, irregular geometry, and asymmetry, uses measured viscoelastic data, and solves the matrix differential equations of motion to simulate vocal‑fold vibration. Results demonstrate that the model accurately predicts vocal‑fold vibration, as validated against eigenvalue analysis and ABAQUS simulations.

Abstract

A finite-element model of the vocal fold is developed from basic laws of continuum mechanics to obtain the oscillatory characteristics of the vocal folds. The model is capable of accommodating inhomogeneous, anisotropic material properties and irregular geometry of the boundaries. It has provisions for asymmetry across the midplane, both from the geometric and tension point of view, which enables one to simulate certain kinds of voice disorders due to vocal-fold paralysis. It employs the measured viscoelastic properties of the vocal-fold tissues. The detailed construction of the matrix differential equations of motion is presented followed by the solution scheme. Finally, typical results are presented and validated using an eigenvalue method and a commercial finite-element package (ABAQUS).