Structural Analysis of Human Skull With

Literature Review

1.0 INTRODUCTION:
Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the mechanisms of impact of
force on human skull. The computers made it possible to construct mathematical models of the
human head, and thereby conduct the studies on a computer. The first models were limited to 2D
but the increase in computer capabilities have made it possible to construct 3D models of the
human head. A very common method of calculating the response of an impact to the model of the
human head is by the finite element method (FEM).
The mechanical properties are divided into structural properties and material
properties. First the structural properties of the skull is presented. Because the models are
simplified to only consist of the top of the skull, this part is the main concern, when considering
the structure. This analysis is of specific importance for areas such as simulation of the human
behavior in space and in sports, design of impact protective transport systems, criminology,
ergonomics, etc. and to protect pedestrians from fatalities and injuries resulting from vehicle-
pedestrian accidents.
The CT generated geometry of the skull and implant was used to create a FEM
model and the corresponding simulation software used was ANSYS WORKBENCH .The FEM
model facilitates the three-dimensional stress - strain analysis of the skull caused by the application
of a specific load. The reference load was 100N, while a further load of 120 N was applied. The
load was applied vertically and was evenly distributed over an area. Pressure of 10000 Pa was also
applied on the top of the head and further it proceeds to 15000.
In our analysis we have considered the structural analysis of human skull with
literature review by analyzing the impact of force on the human skull and viewing the results.

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2.0 PRO-ENGINEER MODELING:
It is difficult to make CAD model of Skull directly and also CAD model would not
equal to real human skull. The FEA model geometry was created using a laser scanned image of
the physical orthotic and converting the image to a CAD model. Altering the geometry will involve
transferring the model to Pro-e (a CAD software) and creating a program to modify the geometry.
As computer-aided design (CAD) has become more popular, reverse engineering (RE) has become
a viable method to create a 3D virtual model of an existing physical part for use in 3D CAD, CAM,
CAE or other software.
The reverse-engineering process involves measuring an object, reconstructing it as
a 3D model, manufacturing the mold and product. The physical object can be measured using 3D
scanning technologies like CMMs (Coordinate Measuring Machine), laser scanners, structured
light digitizers or computed tomography. The measured data alone, usually represented as a point
cloud, lacks topological information and is therefore often processed and modeled into a more
usable format such as a triangular-faced mesh, a set of NURBS surfaces or a CAD model.
It is used to analyze, for instance, how a product works, what it does, and what
components it consists of, estimate costs, and identify potential patent infringement, etc. A low
error, fast measuring speed, non-contact laser scanner, the ATOS optical measuring machine
adopted to measure the complex 3D profile of polystyrene skull model The ATOS system is
composed by an optical grating projector and two industrial CCD cameras.
It digitizes three dimensional work pieces by projecting a grid onto the part and
using two cameras, in two different positions, at two different angles with respect to the work piece
to triangulate the location of the intersection points on the grid. The point locations triangulated
by the ATOS system may then be stored as a point cloud (over half million points) and may also
be transformed into facet bodies, such as STL polygon meshes, by software components supplied
by GOM or third party. The resulting STL diagram from ATOS system which reconstructs the
complex 3D cranium model in electronic file is shown in Fig. We take this file from internet.

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 Pro-E Model of Human Head (Skull)

3.0 CONVERSION OF PRO-ENGINEER FILE “(prt)” INTO “(igs)”:

1. Open the model in Pro-E

2. Select save as option
3. Select the file type as “igs” from the extension menu bar
4. Ok

4.0 STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS WITH ANSYS WORKBENCH:

Ansys workbench is an analysis software in which we can analyze the behavior of

an object under the action of different type of loadings. And thus observe the values of strain
produced in an object almost equal to the real physical object under the same loading conditions.

1. Select the “Static Structural” from the main menu bar

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5.0 DEFINE MATERIAL:

For defining the material, following steps are involved

1. Static Structural > Engineering data > Material Human Skull > Defining properties
> physical properties > Density & Isotropic elasticity

Given reference values (See Appendix )

Density 1200 kg/m3

Young’s Modulus 16.7 MPa
Poisson’s Ratio 0.42

Then click on these in sequence

1. Update project
2. Return to project

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6.0 IMPORT OF “igs” FILE INTO ANSYS:

1. Double click “geometry”

2. Check “meter” as standard unit
3. File > Import external geometry file > Select igs file of the model
4. Click on generate
5. Import done

7.0 MODEL:

From the main ansys workbench menu firstly select the option “Model” form static
structural, then give the surface temperature & thickness using the given command.

1. Geometry > Surface body > Drop down menu > Reference temperature > By body
2. Temperature 35 C
3. Thickness 0.002 m

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4. Material
5. Select “Human Skull” as material
6. Check thickness, Volume, Mass, and Surface area as shown

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7.1 MESH:

1. Mesh > Insert > Sizing > Geometry > Body > Element Size “0.01” > Mesh > Physics
preference > Mechanical > Generate mesh

2. Static Structural > Environmental Temp > 25C

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7.2 APPLYING BOUNDARY CONDITIONS:

For applying boundary condition, use the following steps

1. Static Structural > Insert > Fixed Support

2. Select Geometry (From drop down menu)
3. Click on face option then select the bottom face
4. Apply

7.3 APPLYING FORCE(S):

7.3.1 APPLYING THE FORCE WITH MAGNITUDE 100 N

1. Static Structural > Insert > Force > Drop down menu > Constant (ramp) > 100 N
2. Geometry >Face for force > Direction of force > Inwards

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7.3.1.1 SOLUTIONS:

1. Solution > Insert > Stress > Equivalent

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2. Solution > Insert > Deformation > Total

3. Solution > Solve

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7.3.1.2 CHECK RESULTS:

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 7.3.2 APPLYING THE FORCE WITH MAGNITUDE 120 N

1. Static Structural > Insert > Force > Drop down menu > Constant (ramp) > 120 N
2. Geometry >Face for force > Direction of force > Inwards
Then perform the same steps as discussed in previous session

7.3.2.1 SOLUTIONS:

1. Solution > Insert > Stress > Equivalent

2. Solution > Insert > Deformation > Total
3. Solution > Solve

7.3.2.2 CHECK RESULTS:

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7.4 APPLYING PRESSURE(S):

7.4.1 APPLYING PRESSURE WITH MAGNITUDE 10000 Pa

1. Static Structural > Insert > Pressure > Geometry > Face > Bottom Face
2. Apply
3. Static Structural > Insert > Pressure > Drop down menu
4. Value -10000 Pa then check
5. Geometry > Face For Pressure > Direction of Pressure Inwards

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7.4.1.1 SOLUTIONS:

1. Solution > Insert > Stress > Equivalent

2. Solution > Insert > Deformation > Total
3. Solution > Solve

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7.4.1.2 CHECK RESULTS:

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7.4.2 APPLYING PRESSURE WITH MAGNITUDE 15000 Pa

6. Static Structural > Insert > Pressure > Geometry > Face > Bottom Face
7. Apply
8. Static Structural > Insert > Pressure > Drop down menu
9. Value -15000 Pa then check
10. Geometry > Face For Pressure > Direction of Pressure Inwards

7.4.2.1 SOLUTIONS:

4. Solution > Insert > Stress > Equivalent

5. Solution > Insert > Deformation > Total
6. Solution > Solve

7.4.2.2 CHECK RESULTS:

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8.0 CONCLUSION:

Human head FEMs were designed according to the purpose of use and tests were
conducted to validate the models. Engineering studies of pedestrian or passenger head models
require a less complex design than medical studies. The human anatomy is the foundation for the
design of the models to achieve the highest possible precision of the head and to obtain results that
are closer to reality in terms of materials used. We have analyzed the behavior of human skull
under the application of different loads and pressures for obtaining different values of deformation.
The values of deformation are obtained as shown in figure observed in the previous session.

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9.0 REFERENCES:

[1] http://www.mcadcentral.com/creo-modeling/13707-human-skull-model-
request.html

[2] http://www.pmik.dk/StudentProjects/Master-SkullFracture-Tina.pdf

[3] https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:9137/FULLTEXT01.pdf

[4] http://www.ijstr.org/final-print/july2013/Finite-Element-Fe-Human-Head-
Models--Literature-Review.pdf

[5] www.lifesciencesite.com/lsj/life0604/03_life0604_15_22.pdf

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