Experimental tests are only able to predict human head injuries to a limited extent. Current occupant simulation models, based on rigid body systems or finite element models of Dummies, are used for the simulation of crash tests. This paper outlines the first stage of development of a three-dimensional finite element model of a human head.

The aim of our research work is to identify injury mechanisms and to develop injury criteria representing the spectrum of significant head injuries. The anatomic head model will be used as a predictive tool for estimating the tolerance threshold in response for dynamic loading.

The geometry of the model based on CT (Computer Tomography) scans and represents the anatomy of a male human skull. A new approach to transform the twodimensional Computer Tomography data into a threedimensional finite element input file was developed. The model at its present stage consists of 1.342 solid elements representing the skull bones with 2.874 nodes in 31 layers.