Date of Graduation

1998

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Committee Chair

Victor H. Mucino

Committee Member

Timothy Norman

Committee Member

Charles Stanley

Committee Member

Stephen M. Bloomfield

Abstract

This study addresses the transient dynamic response of a human skull-brain complex under impact loads. Three cross-sections; sagittal, transverse and coronal of the brain are considered to perform the transient dynamic analysis that describes the kinematics and stress wave patterns of the internal motions in the skull and brain mass. The models include cerebral spinal fluid and meningi membrane along with the skull and the viscoelastic brain tissue. The analysis is performed using the program LS-DYNA3D for the analysis of frontal, lateral and top impact. The results produced include the loci of points that carry the maximum stresses as the brain mass moves. Various paths result for the different type of stresses (principal stresses, shear stresses etc.). Of particular interest are the path and magnitudes of maximum shear stresses, which may be significantly different than the pressure parameter (known as the average of the principal stresses). The results suggest that the use of viscoelastic properties of brain tissue has a very significant influence on the results that can be produced. The results also indicate that the critical measure associated with the injury mechanism, may be related to both the pressure parameter and the maximum shear stress, which peak at different times and at different locations as compared with the pressure parameter. Sagittal, Transverse and Coronal sections are used to illustrate the loci of the points with the maximum stresses, which in turn can be used to relate the zones in the brain that are more likely to sustain damage.

Download

Share

COinS