Finite element model study of head impact based on Hybrid III head acceleration: the effects of rotational and translational acceleration.

The translational and rotational components of acceleration measured at the center of gravity of a Hybrid III dummy head were used to investigate their individual and combined effects on a two-dimensional finite element model of the human brain. Each component of acceleration generated distinct patterns of deformation. Although translational acceleration is related to pressure and rotational acceleration has a dominant effect on shear deformations, complete acceleration (combination of translation and rotation) yielded the highest values in all stresses and produced a maximum shear stress at the top of the brain.