Brain Responses to Rotational and Translational Impact, and Influence of Individual Differences in Head Shape

Abstract

Head Finite Element (FE) models, which represent potential Japanese male head shape, were created using Multi Dimensional Scaling (MDS) and Free Form Deformation (FFD). The models were then used in simulations of translational impacts, rotational impacts and combinations of both in order to determine the effects of individual differences on the pressure and shear stress responses of the brain. Individual differences of head shape have significant effects on the pressure response in translational impact simulations, and on the shear stress response in rotational impact simulations. Differences of maximum and minimum values of the pressure and shear stress responses cannot be neglected in comparison to the tolerance levels of brain injury previously reported. In combined impact simulations, the differences in pressure response increase significantly, and the substantial influence of rotational impact on pressure response was also confirmed.