Establishing Cavitation as a Damage Mechanism for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Blast

A leading risk facing the warfighter is from an improvised explosive device (IED) causing traumatic brain injury (TBI). The objective of this research is to develop mathematical tools to accurately predict stresses, strain and cavitation from blast overpressure that contribute to TBI and to develop mitigation technologies. Phase I showed that significant progress was made in establishing the applicability of the DYSMAS code in capturing cavitation effects from explosive blast on, and in, the cranium. In Phase II, the fidelity of the mathematical tools will be improved, and experimental tests will be performed simulating blast and overpressure in shock tube facilities to validate predictions of pressure within physical head/brain models. Shock mitigation techniques using energy absorbing crushable materials will be investigated to reduce/eliminate cavitation and other damaging effects from blast overpressure. An intermediate goal is creating a set of validated analytic tools for modeling and simulating blast effects, including cavitation, on the human head under varied blast and headgear scenarios. Such tools would be employed to design headgear (e.g. helmet, masks) that is more effective against blast loading. A commercialization deliverable under Phase II would be a proof-of-concept level mitigator for existing combat helmets.