We present a methodology for identifying constitutive responses of crushable, linear-softening materials that would reduce the severity of brain injury caused by head impact in a typical automobile or sports collision. It is based on analysis of accelerations imparted to a spherical mass (representative of the human head) upon impact at prescribed velocity onto a flat padded structure. The resulting acceleration–time histories are used to calculate the corresponding Head Injury Criterion (HIC): a weighted product of acceleration and impact duration that has been found to correlate with the severity of brain injury. In the best-case scenario, the HIC is reduced by a factor of 1.84 relative to that obtained for a system optimized with a perfectly plastic foam. The optimal combinations of yield stress and crushing strain are not unique; that is, the optimum can be achieved with a range of strengths and crushing strains. The present solutions are expected to find utility in guiding the design of new polymer lattice materials for use in impact protection systems.
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University of California,
Santa Barbara,
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March 2014
Research-Article
Optimal Material Properties for Mitigating Brain Injury During Head Impact
Frank W. Zok
University of California,
Santa Barbara,
Frank W. Zok
Materials Department
,University of California,
Santa Barbara,
CA 93106
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Frank W. Zok
Materials Department
,University of California,
Santa Barbara,
CA 93106
Manuscript received May 31, 2013; final manuscript received June 25, 2013; accepted manuscript posted July 12, 2013; published online October 16, 2013. Editor: Yonggang Huang.
J. Appl. Mech. Mar 2014, 81(3): 031014 (5 pages)
Published Online: October 16, 2013
Article history
Received:
May 31, 2013
Revision Received:
June 25, 2013
Accepted:
July 12, 2013
Citation
Begley, M. R., and Zok, F. W. (October 16, 2013). "Optimal Material Properties for Mitigating Brain Injury During Head Impact." ASME. J. Appl. Mech. March 2014; 81(3): 031014. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4024992
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