Fracture behavior of the skull frontal bone against cylindrical surfaces

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Hodgson, Voigt R.¹; Brinn, Jule²; Thomas, L. M.¹; Greenberg, S. W.¹

Fracture behavior of the skull frontal bone against cylindrical surfaces

Proceedings of the 14th Stapp Car Crash Conference

Affiliations

¹Wayne State University

²Chrysler Corp.
Abstract
A test program has been conducted to determine the fracture behavior of the human frontal bone against two different rigid cylindrical surfaces; one surface was of 1 in. radius and one was of 5/16 in. radius; both were 6½ in. long. The purpose of this research program was to provide human tolerance data which would:
1. Assist in the design of structures likely to be impacted by the human head.
2. Extend the calibration range of frangible headforms.
Twelve cadavers were tested in this program; seven against the 1 in. radius cylinder and five against the 5/16 in. radius cylinder. The test arrangement employed a guided drop of the test surface against a stationary head which was free to rebound. Drop heights were increased progressively until borderline fractures were obtained.

The large radius shape consistently yielded linear fractures indicating that it is effectively a blunt surface. Fracture loads ranged 950-1650 lb. The small radius shape yielded two linear fractures and three localized elliptical fractures indicating that it is in the transition range between a blunt and concentrated surface. Fracture loads ranged 700-1600 lb.
Links

DOI: 10.4271/700909

SAE: 700909

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1971	Hodgson VR, Thomas LM. Comparison of head acceleration injury indices in cadaver skull fracture. In: Proceedings of the 15th Stapp Car Crash Conference. November 17-19, 1971; Coronado, CA. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers:190-206. SAE 710854.
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