Computational Failure Modeling of Accelerative Injuries to the Lower Leg Below the Knee

Abstract : Underbody blasts to vehicles from improvised explosives cause severe injuries to the lower extremities, including bone fracture, ligament tear, and muscle rupture. The process of injury and the effectiveness of vehicle system design strategies to enhance soldier protection remains unclear. In this paper, efforts focused on developing a finite element model of the lower extremities undergoing high strain rate blast-induced deformation leading to injury will be discussed. A hierarchical approach is taken. The process of high strain rate direct axial loading that leads to bone fracture and fragmentation is investigated.

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