Biomechanical parameters of the brain under blast loads with and without helmets

Computational results on biomechanics of brain for a human head model with and without a helmet under the blast loading are presented. The blast propagation is simulated using the hybrid method combining the multi-material arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian finite element formulation and empirical blast load equations. A three dimensional model of a combat helmet is integrated with a validated 50th percentile human head-neck model. The blast-head model interactions are modelled using a penalty-based fluid-structure interaction algorithm. Biomechanical data parameters of the head/brain such as intracranial pressures and maximum shear stress are recorded and compared both with and without a helmet. The results are studied the severity of the blast under different values for the high explosive explosions and the efficiency of the wearing ballistic impact under the blast situation.