Head injuries evaluation during a pipeline explosion

In recent years, Mexico has suffereda series of explosive accidents linked to oil drilling and fuel pipeline operations. These explosions are often triggered by the rapid vapor expansion due to abrupt pressure changes, known as Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosions (BLEVEs). Tragically, in 2019, a devastating explosion occurred in Tlahuelilpan, claiming the lives of at least 100 people and injuring many others. This research aims to investigate brain injuries resulting from such explosions. Despite the potential for severe injuries, there is a significant lack of comprehensive injury data, with most research focusing on military contexts. In this study, we employed the Baker method in three configurations, utilizing a finite element model, Hybrid III 50Th Percentile Male Standing, in LS-Dyna®. Head Injury Criteria (HIC) is a measure for acceleration behavior in head. Our findings indicate that this value for acceleration, and BLAST propagation radio decrease with greater analysis distance. Brain injuries include edemas, contusions, lacerations, and skull compression, predominantly affecting individuals within a 6-meter radius of the detonation point. •This study exposes a numerical analysis applied to an explosion, known as a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE).•This research aims to identify brain injuries reached by BLEVE explosion.•The Baker method was applied in three different configurations with a finite element model HYBRID III.•The outcomes show that the BLAST propagation radio decreased according to the analysis distance.•The brain injuries include edemas, contusions, lacerations, and skull compression resulting from BLAST propagation.