Computational Failure Modeling of Lower Extremities

Abstract : Underbelly blasts to vehicles from improvised explosives cause severe injuries to the lower extremities, including bone fracture, ligament tear, and muscle rupture. While these injuries may seem well-defined through medical imaging, the process of injury and the effects of vehicle system design to protection are still unclear. In this report, 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.