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Development and global validation of a 1-week-old piglet head finite element model for impact simulations
Zhong-Qing Su1, Da-Peng Li2, Rui Li1
1School of Mechanical, Electronic and Control Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China.
Insights
Researchers developed a validated finite element model of a piglet head for studying child head injuries. This biomechanical tool accurately simulates impact responses, aiding in understanding injury mechanisms and developing protection strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Injury Biomechanics
- Pediatric Injury Research
Background:
- Child head injury is a critical concern in impact scenarios like falls and vehicle crashes.
- The piglet head is a common surrogate for pediatric head injury research due to similar biological properties.
- Existing piglet head models lack validated accuracy in geometry and material properties for impact experiments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an accurate and validated finite element model of a piglet head.
- To create a reliable tool for investigating pediatric head injury biomechanics.
- To provide a foundation for future research on child head injury mechanisms and protection.
Main Methods:
- Constructed a detailed piglet head model using CT scans, including skull, brain, and soft tissues.
- Employed a structured butterfly method for meshing complex geometries and assigned constitutive material models.
- Validated the finite element model through guided drop tower tests, comparing force-time histories with experimental data.
Main Results:
- The developed finite element model accurately simulated piglet head responses under impact conditions.
- Simulation results showed close agreement with experimental data from drop tower tests (error <10%).
- Model predictions were comparable to published literature data, demonstrating its capability to capture head responses.
Conclusions:
- The validated finite element model serves as an effective tool for pediatric head injury research.
- This model can aid in investigating injury mechanisms and evaluating protection strategies for child head impacts.
- The study provides a crucial resource for advancing the understanding and prevention of child head injuries.
Purpose:
Child head injury under impact scenarios (e.g. falls, vehicle crashes, etc.) is an important topic in the field of injury biomechanics. The head of piglet was commonly used as the surrogate to investigate the biomechanical response and mechanisms of pediatric head injuries because of the similar cellular structures and material properties. However, up to date, piglet head models with accurate geometry and material properties, which have been validated by impact experiments, are seldom. We aim to develop such a model for future research.
Methods:
In this study, first, the detailed anatomical structures of the piglet head, including the skull, suture, brain, pia mater, dura mater, cerebrospinal fluid, scalp and soft tissue, were constructed based on CT scans. Then, a structured butterfly method was adopted to mesh the complex geometries of the piglet head to generate high-quality elements and each component was assigned corresponding constitutive material models. Finally, the guided drop tower tests were conducted and the force-time histories were ectracted to validate the piglet head finite element model.
Results:
Simulations were conducted on the developed finite element model under impact conditions and the simulation results were compared with the experimental data from the guided drop tower tests and the published literature. The average peak force and duration of the guide drop tower test were similar to that of the simulation, with an error below 10%. The inaccuracy was below 20%. The average peak force and duration reported in the literature were comparable to those of the simulation, with the exception of the duration for an impact energy of 11 J. The results showed that the model was capable to capture the response of the pig head.
Conclusion:
This study can provide an effective tool for investigating child head injury mechanisms and protection strategies under impact loading conditions.
