Numerical simulation of mechanisms of blast-induced traumatic brain injury

Blast-induced traumatic brain injury caused by road bombs has lately become a larger part of allied injuries. The same mechanisms may also be responsible for milder injuries of similar nature, resulting from training with large caliber weapons and explosives. In this paper, blast effects from a weapon on the brain are investigated. Using the hydrocode AUTODYN, numerical simulations of shock wave propagation into the brain are performed. The shock wave similar to that of a howitzer or a rifle is calculated. An idealized head is placed in the position of personnel firing the weapon. The focus is on the qualitative mechanisms of the propagation of the shock wave through the skull and into the brain. The results are validated by comparing with experiments carried out on anesthetized pigs exposed to weapon noise.