Very few finite element head models have been validated as required before being used to study brain injury mechanisms.
This paper deals with the validation study of a 3D head model [1] against five cadaver tests [2]. It evaluates the current model ability to simulate brain responses and draws the research lines to improve it.
Velocities on the closed rigid skull model were fixed to duplicate experimental applied loads. Validation parameters were constituted by three intra-cranial accelerations, three epidural pressures and in two cases, two extra pressures in the ventricles.
The model response matched experimental results in terms of trend but presented significant oscillations. Moreover, there was a shift between experimental and numerical pressure curves. Brain material damping was introduced but numerical oscillations were slightly reduced.
Globally, the 3D head model appears coherent but oscillations and pressure differences between experiments and runs call assumptions concerning subarachnoid space into question again. Furthermore, supplementary experimental data should be obtained to complete this validation study.