Finite element modeling for the prediction of blast trauma

Abstract

A simplified finite element model of a human torso has been developed to investigate and predict primary blast injury to the lung. The motivation for this approach was to understand the basic origins of blast trauma to the lungs and to create a predictive model for the evaluation of injury and future development of blast protection. The model consists of a two-dimensional slice of the torso at the mid-sternum level with blast loading applied via a coupled Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian approach, allowing for a variety of loads to be considered. In parallel, a simplified model of a sheep torso has been developed for direct comparison to published experimental data on blast injury. Blast loads were applied to the models based on threshold lung damage, and various lethal dose quantities for comparison to expected injury levels based on the Bowen curves. The predicted injury levels based on relative lung pressure correlated well to existing experimental data. Further, the predicted peak chest wall velocities in the model compared well to an existing trauma model and with the expected severity of trauma. Future research will focus on the prediction of lung injury in a complex blast environment, and the development of blast protection. © 2005 Springer.