Functionally Graded Energy Absorbing Military Helmet Pads for Protection Against mTBI

Military helmets are designed based on costly and time consuming laboratory ballistic tests, firing range data, and forensic data. Until now advanced computational modeling tools have not been adequately utilized in the design and optimization of military helmets. The overall objective of this project is to develop a mild traumatic brain injury mitigating pad by integrating high-fidelity Finite Element Model (FEM)-based computational tools and experimental testing. The integrated experimental and computational models will be used to study the blunt impact effect on the low-density energy absorbing materials and the dynamic responses of the skull and brain. The numerical model will be validated against experimental data involving drop test, biomechanical response of head phantom. The computational tools will optimize the helmet pad design with a multi-parametric design window: variable material composition, layer thickness, multiple impact behavior, impact rate and others. The sample pad based on the numerical analysis will be fabricated and subjected to the impact tests. In Phase II we will develop the new material system for the helmet pads, and demonstrate that the developed materials reduce the risk of brain injury in both impact tests and shock tube tests. The integrated hardware/software framework will be delivered to the Army.