Skull biomechanics: The energy absorbability of the human skull frontal bone during fracture under quasi-static loading.
Four human skulls were studied in order to determine the energy absorbed corresponding to a fracture due to quasi-static loading on the frontal bone. Using a dedicated experimental set up, the force-deformation characteristics of the specimens were recorded, calculating energy absorption. Mean values of 1975 +/- 703 N, 4.17 +/- 0.81 mm and 3.95 +/- 1.18 J were found for the peak force, maximum deformation and absorbed energy to fracture, respectively. Linear fractures were always seen in the frontal bone, with a similar pattern in three of the four skulls. These results can be used to develop bench-mark skull models to validate analytic models. (Journal of Applied Biomaterials & Biomechanics 2003; 1: 194-9).
Van Lierde
C
C
Division of Biomechanics and Engineering Design, K.U. Leuven, Leuven - Belgium.
Depreitere
B
B
Vander Sloten
J
J
Van Auderkercke
R
R
Van Der Perre
G
G
Goffin
J
J