Head and brain response to blast using sagittal and transverse finite element models

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Computational modeling
• Neurotrauma

Background:

• Blast exposure from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) is a growing concern in modern conflicts, leading to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).
• Understanding head kinematics and brain tissue response during blast events is crucial for developing effective countermeasures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate computational models simulating blast-head interactions.
• To investigate brain tissue response, including strains and strain rates, under blast loading conditions.
• To provide a tool for evaluating protection and mitigation strategies against blast-induced mTBI.

Main Methods:

• Development of two solid hexahedral blast-head models in sagittal and transverse planes.
• Coupling of head models with an Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian air model to simulate blast-head interaction.
• Validation against experimental kinematic data and intracranial pressure measurements for three blast load cases.

Main Results:

• Validated models showed good agreement with experimental accelerations.
• Models accurately predicted intracranial pressures at frontal, temporal, and parietal locations, with underprediction at the occipital site.
• Predicted peak principal brain tissue strains ranged from 0.035 to 0.087, with strain rates between 225 and 571 s⁻¹.

Conclusions:

• The developed computational models are efficient and predictive for blast-induced head injury.
• Quantified brain tissue strains and strain rates can guide future material characterization for protective gear.
• These models offer a valuable tool for assessing protective and mitigation strategies for blast-exposed personnel.