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A computational model of blast loading on the human eye
Rajneesh Bhardwaj1, Kimberly Ziegler, Jung Hee Seo
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India.
Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology
|April 18, 2013
Summary
Blast waves cause ocular injuries by creating asymmetric pressure on the eye, leading to globe distortion and high stresses. This computational model reveals potential risks of tissue failure in the sclera due to blast overpressure.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Ophthalmology
- Computational modeling
Background:
- Ocular injuries from blast events are a growing concern in modern warfare.
- The precise mechanism of primary blast wave injury to the eye remains poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biomechanical response of the ocular globe to blast overpressure.
- To identify stress and deformation patterns within the eye caused by blast waves.
Main Methods:
- A three-dimensional fluid-structure interaction computational model was developed.
- The model simulated blast wave propagation and its effects on the eye's structure.
Main Results:
- Blast wave reflections from facial features intensify pressure loading on the eye.
- Asymmetric blast loading induces significant globe distortion.
- High deviatoric stresses were identified in the sclera, indicating potential tissue failure risk.
Conclusions:
- Blast overpressure causes significant globe distortion and high stresses in ocular tissues.
- The identified stresses in the sclera may predict the risk of interfacial tissue failure between the sclera and orbit.
