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Finite element analysis of impact and shaking inflicted to a child

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Abstract

This study compares a vigorous shaking and an inflicted impact, defined as the terminal portion of a vigorous shaking, using a finite element model of a 6-month-old child head. Whereas the calculated values in terms of shearing stress and brain pressure remain different and corroborate the previous studies based on angular and linear velocity and acceleration, the calculated relative brain and skull motions that can be considered at the origin of a subdural haematoma show similar results for the two simulated events. Finite element methods appear as an emerging tool in the study of the biomechanics of head injuries in children.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut de Mécanique des Fluides et des Solides, UMR 7507 ULP CNRS, 2 rue Boussingault, 67000, Strasbourg, France

    Sébastien Roth, Jean-Sébastien Raul & Rémy Willinger

  2. Institut de Médecine Légale, 11 rue Humann, 67085, Strasbourg, France

    Jean-Sébastien Raul & Bertrand Ludes

Authors
  1. Sébastien Roth
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  2. Jean-Sébastien Raul
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  3. Bertrand Ludes
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  4. Rémy Willinger
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Correspondence to Jean-Sébastien Raul.

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Roth, S., Raul, JS., Ludes, B. et al. Finite element analysis of impact and shaking inflicted to a child. Int J Legal Med 121, 223–228 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-006-0129-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-006-0129-3

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