The Study of a Human Head Simulant’s Dynamic Response to a Blast Wave

Abstract

The prevalence of body armour and helmets in military forces combined with the availability of combat medical support and timely evacuation of injured soldiers has increased the survivability rates of those who have been exposed to blast. Despite this, the incidents of traumatic brain injury (TBI), as a result of primary blast, have been described as the ‘signature injury’ of modern warfare. The physical interaction between a blast wave and a human head is not well understood and there is some conjecture as to whether helmets are attenuating or amplifying the blast effects on the human head. The aim of this study was to improve the understanding of the interaction of primary blasts on the human head with different attachments such as a helmet and face shield.