The influence of impact angle on the dynamic response of a Hybrid III headform and brain tissue deformation

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of impact angle on the dynamic response of a Hybrid III headform and brain tissue deformation by impacting the front and side of the headform using four angle conditions (0°, at the impact site and 5, 10 and 15° rightward rotations of the headform from 0°) as well as three additional angle conditions of -5, - 10 and -15° (leftward rotations from 0°) at the side location to examine the effects of the neckform. The acceleration-time curves were used as input into a finite element model of the brain where maximum principal strain was calculated. The study found that an impact angle of 15° significantly influencesthe results when measured using linear and rotational acceleration and maximum principal strain. When developing sophisticated impact protocols and undertaking head injury reconstruction research, it is important to be aware of impact angle.