Comparison of Skull Deformations During Head Drop Tests from Experimental Accelerometers and Finite Element Simulations

Authors: Carolyn Hampton, DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory; Karthik Somasundaram, Medical College of Wisconsin

Abstract

There are many experimental sources for validating biomechanical models of the head, but relatively little has been done with impact-induced skull acceleration data. This study used data from drops tests in which PMHS heads were dropped 1-8 ft (0.3-2.44 m) onto rubber pads of 40 or 90 durometer. Acceleration data were double-integrated to obtain position, then the change in distance between anterior and posterior accelerometers defined the length deflection. Increases up to 5.2 mm were observed and the 3D position and orientation could be reconstructed. A finite element simulation estimated similar length deflection concurrent with up to 10.0 mm lateral compression. Simulated fractures initiated at 1.83 and 1.52 m for the 40 and 90 durometer pads respectively, similar to the 2.13 and 1.52 m from the experiments. The significance of the deflections has yet to be determined. These deflections and fracture thresholds will be used to further improve the simulation.

Type: Short Communication

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