Developing a Finite Element Head Model for Impact Simulation in Abaqus

A computational model of the human head has been developed by Simpleware and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) to simulate head impact. The head model was generated using high-resolution scan data, segmentation and image-based meshing techniques, and has been used in Abaqus for a range of simulations. The NRL/Simpleware head model addresses several key limitations of existing techniques for head impact modelling, most notably mesh adaptability for different applications. This paper will focus on the development of the modeling techniques used to create the NRL/Simpleware head model, and its use in Abaqus/Explicit to demonstrate accuracy and feasibility against a widely used experimental benchmark in impact loading and through investigation of potential brain injury under blast overpressure loading.