MME - Research Areas - Trauma Mechanics

Trauma Mechanics


Mission Statement

Blast induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) is signature injury in recent combat scenarios involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs). In 2005, the U.S. military reported 10,953 IED attacks, at an average of 30 per day[2].TBI and concussion rates among service members returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) have been reported at 22%. However, the rate of persistent symptoms has been reported as significantly lower (8%).

Research Strategy
Understanding of the interactions with and transduction of blast waves through complex biological specimen will help elucidate mechanisms of the bTBI. It will result in improvements of the design of personal protective equipment and thus help protect military personnel. The acute and delayed biochemical sequelae of brain tissue injuries caused by blast exposure will aid development of novel, targeted detection and remediation strategies.

Research Objectives

  • Study the effects of blast waves or pressure pulses on a human head with and without a protective helmet (experiments and simulation)
  • Develop a multiscale constitutive model of helmet, skull, and brain based on experiments and modeling. Simulate the effect of pressure and impact loading on deformation and damage.
  • Culture cells, e.g., glial; characterize their dynamic behavior, and study the change in their functional and mechanical responses.