Development of a finite element model for blast injuries to the pig mandible and a preliminary biomechanical analysis

Explosive damages to the maxillofacial bones exhibit complex dynamic response processes; the current traditional model and methods for blast wounds are unable to meet research needs. The finite element (FE) method has obvious advantages in complex biomechanical analysis. The objective of this study was to develop an FE model for blast injuries to the pig mandible and investigate the feasibility of using FE method as an ideal research tool for mandible blast wounds.

A hexahedral FE model of a pig mandible was established to simulate explosive damage in air by using MIMICS and ANSA software. Then, the FE model was imported into LS-DYNA for computation. Finally, the LS-POST was used for the analysis and the measurements. At the same time, an experimental study was performed by measuring biomechanical data (strains and accelerations) and wound patterns from fresh pig mandibles to validate our FE model and simulation result.

The FE model and the dynamic processes of blast injuries to the pig mandible were developed and simulated successfully, and most of the biomechanical data and wound patterns displayed no significant differences with experimental results. Stress distribution in the mandible was relatively uniform; high-intensity strain was mainly concentrated in the mandibular angle and ramus, especially along the location of the fracture line.

The FE model and method of this experiment will be helpful for investigations in the biomechanical mechanisms of mandibular blast injuries and the subsequent human maxillofacial blast injury simulation.