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A Test Bed to Examine Helmet Fit and Retention and Biomechanical Measures of Head and Neck Injury in Simulated Impact
Published on: September 21, 2017
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Helmet liner evaluation to mitigate head response from primary blast exposure
Philip A Lockhart1, Duane S Cronin
1a Department of Mechanical Engineering , University of Waterloo , Waterloo , Ontario , Canada N2L 3G1.
Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering
|February 25, 2014
Summary
This study explored helmet liner materials to reduce head injury from blast waves. Aluminum foam showed the greatest potential for mitigating brain injury risks compared to other materials.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Materials Science
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Background:
- Blast-induced head injuries, including mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), are significant concerns in modern conflict zones.
- Understanding head kinematics and injury metrics under blast loading is crucial for developing protective measures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of various ballistic helmet liner materials in mitigating primary blast injury.
- To identify optimal material properties for protective helmet liners through finite element analysis.
Main Methods:
- Development and validation of a sagittal plane head finite element model for blast exposure simulations.
- Evaluation of injury prediction measures: intracranial pressure, brain tissue strain, head acceleration (linear/rotational), and head injury criterion.
- Factor analysis of foam material properties (modulus, hysteretic response, stress-strain, damping, density) to determine significant protective factors.
Main Results:
- Simulations provided consistent predictions for injury measures under typical blast loading.
- Key material properties influencing protection were identified as interactions between modulus and hysteretic response, stress-strain behavior, damping factor, and density.
- Polymeric foam met some requirements, but higher strength foams, specifically aluminum foam, demonstrated the highest potential for injury reduction.
Conclusions:
- Material properties significantly influence the protective capabilities of helmet liners against blast-induced head injuries.
- Aluminum foam exhibits superior protective potential compared to polymeric foams and an unprotected head.
- Further research into advanced foam materials is warranted for improved blast injury mitigation in protective headgear.
