Computational simulation of the human head response to non-contact impact

Abstract

This paper deals with the human head response to a sudden motion without direct contact with another solid object, i.e. to non-contact impact. A computational simulation approach is presented for this study, which is accomplished by the integration of a coated articulated total body (ATB) model with a finite element (FE) head model. The present approach includes two major aspects: one is to simulate the sudden motion of the human head with the whole body by means of the ATB model; and the other is to predict the head deformation and stress induced by the sudden motion through using the FE head model. The agreement between the simulation results and the published experimental data [Wismans J, Hermans J. MADYMO 3D simulations of hybrid III dummy sled tests. In: Backailis SH, Mertz HJ, editors. Hybrid III: the first human-like crash test dummy, SAE PT-44; 1994. p. 735-49; Nahum AM, Smith R, War CC. Intracranial pressure dynamic during head injury. In: 21st Stapp car crash conference proceedings, SAE 770922; 1977] is obtained. The intracranial pressure response and the head stress response are then predicted using the present approach. The correlation between the head motion and the brain stresses are also explored. In addition, the head injury induced by the non-contact impact is evaluated. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.