Numerical analysis of the influence of blast wave on human body

Threats for military personnel during combat missions nowadays are of different sources. Further development of methods for neutralization of mines or improvised explosive devices (IED) explosions must be preceded by identification of the impact phenomenon on crew of the military vehicle. Large accelerations cause injury to a person located in the interior of the vehicle and may lead to permanent disability exempting soldiers from the battlefield. Information about overload coming from the explosion of IEDs on humans are difficult to access or not sufficiently detailed. Therefore, the basis for their acquisition is conducting experimental research and modelling. The paper is presents finite element analysis of blast wave effects on a human body simulated by a numerical 50th percentile HYBRID III dummy. Coupled Euler and Lagrange (ALE) formulations are used in the finite element analysis of such problems to accurately represent the detonation phenomenon. Numerical model was developed in LS-PrePost software. All the computational analyses were carried out using an explicit LS-DYNA solver on multiprocessor cluster. Data such as hip and knee moment of inertia, femoral force, and foot acceleration are collected from the numerical dummy, which simulates the occupant’s response. These data are then compared to injury threshold values from various references to assess survivability