Title: Limitation of scaling methods in child head finite element modelling

Authors: S. Roth, J-S. Raul, J. Ruan, R. Willinger

Addresses: Strasbourg University, ULP-CNRS 7507, 2 rue Boussingault, Strasbourg 67000, France. ' Institute of Legal Medicine, ULP, 11 rue Humann, Strasbourg 67085, France. ' Ford Motor Company, 2101 Village Road, Dearborn, MI 48124, USA. ' Strasbourg University, ULP-CNRS 7507, 2 rue Boussingault, Strasbourg 67000, France

Abstract: During growth, a child|s head undergoes different modifications in morphology and structure. This paper presents an anthropometric study in terms of dimension compared to the scaling method developed by Mertz which consists of reducing the adult head model with a scaling coefficient to obtain a child head. A detailed sizes and shape analysis of brain contour in sagittal and frontal plans is then proposed, for child head versus a scaled adult head. The superimposition of those contours allowed pointing to main differences. Numerical simulations performed with the detailed three year old child head model developed in this present study, and a scaled adult head finite element model, showed that reducing an adult finite element model to obtain a child head by scaling method does not seem to be realistic. Then, the creation of specific finite element models of child head seems necessary to understand paediatric injuries.

Keywords: morphology; child head; finite element analysis; FEA; FEM; impact biomechanics; anthropometrics; brain contour; adult head; head scaling; paediatric injuries; head injuries; head impact injury; vehicle safety.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVS.2007.016750

International Journal of Vehicle Safety, 2007 Vol.2 No.4, pp.404 - 421

Published online: 21 Jan 2008 *

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