EFFECT OF THUMB ABDUCTION AND ADDUCTION ON HYDRODYAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A MODEL OF THE HUMAN HAND

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare hydrodynamic characteristics of human hand models with the thumb abducted and the thumb adducted using pressure differential and flow visualization techniques. Two different models of an adult man's right hand (Model A, the hand with abducted thumb; Model B, the hand with thumb adducted) were made with polyester resin. The magnitudes of pressure acting on holes located at the hand model surfaces were measured for various pitch angles to a flow of air in a wind tunnel. Flow visualization of air around the model was conducted using a laser beam. By means of the pressure data, the magnitudes of fluid force were calculated. The experimental results revealed that the thumb position has a large influence on the pressure distribution. The difference of the pressure distribution affected the hydrodynamic characteristics.