Creating a human head finite element model using a multi-block approach for predicting skull response and brain...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Computational Mechanics
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Human head finite element (FE) models are crucial for understanding head injuries.
• Accurate skull and brain models are needed for impact prediction, especially when acceleration data is unavailable.
• Validated models are essential for predicting cranial fractures and brain strain/stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a high-quality, validated human head finite element (FE) model.
• To create simultaneous hexahedral meshes for the brain, skull, and scalp.
• To enable accurate prediction of impact-induced skull fractures and brain injuries.

Main Methods:

• Adopted a multi-block approach for simultaneous hexahedral meshing of brain, skull, and scalp.
• Developed a novel human head FE model.
• Validated the model against experimental data for brain pressures and skull responses.

Main Results:

• Successfully developed a human head FE model with hexahedral meshes.
• The model demonstrated capability in predicting skull fractures and brain pressures.
• Validation confirmed the model's accuracy against established experimental data.

Conclusions:

• A validated human head FE model was successfully developed.
• The model can predict blunt- and ballistic-impact-induced skull fractures.
• The model accurately predicts pressure-related brain injuries.