Blast effect on the lower extremities and its mitigation: A computational study

• Published in: Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials 2013-12, Vol.28, p.111-124
• Main Authors: Dong, Liqiang, Zhu, Feng, Jin, Xin, Suresh, Mahi, Jiang, Binhui, Sevagan, Gopinath, Cai, Yun, Li, Guangyao, Yang, King H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blast Injuries - physiopathology; Blast Injuries - prevention & control; Blast wave; Bone fracture; Bones; Computation; Computer Simulation; Energy absorption; Explosions; Finite Element Analysis; Fracture mechanics; Honeycomb; Honeycomb construction; Humans; Lower Extremity - injuries; Lower Extremity - physiopathology; Lower extremity injury; Materials selection; Mathematical models; Mechanical Phenomena; Military Personnel; Numerical modeling; Posture; Tibia; Tibial Fractures - physiopathology; Tibial Fractures - prevention & control
• ISSN: 1751-6161; 1878-0180
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2013.07.010

A series of computational studies were performed to investigate the response of the lower extremities of mounted soldiers under landmine detonation. A numerical human body model newly developed at Wayne State University was used to simulate two types of experimental studies and the model predictions were validated against test data in terms of the tibia axial force as well as bone fracture pattern. Based on the validated model, the minimum axial force causing tibia facture was found. Then a series of parametric studies was conducted to determine the critical velocity (peak velocity of the floor plate) causing tibia fracture at different upper/lower leg angles. In addition, to limit the load transmission through the vehicular floor, two types of energy absorbing materials, namely IMPAXX® foam and aluminum alloy honeycomb, were selected for floor matting. Their performances in terms of blast effect mitigation were compared using the validated numerical model, and it has been found that honeycomb is a more efficient material for blast injury prevention under the loading conditions studied. [Display omitted] •A newly developed numerical human body model was used to investigate the tibia fracture under high-speed vertical loading.•The model was validated in terms of the tibia axial force as well as bone fracture pattern.•The minimum axial force causing tibia facture was found.•The critical velocities (peak velocity of the floor plate) causing tibia fracture at different upper/lower leg angles were determined.•The performances of two typical energy absorbing materials used for floor matting were compared.