TITLE:
Child Head Injury Evaluation Using Crash Dummy Head Finite Element Model
AUTHORS:
Ibrahim Abdullahi Rafukka, Tukur Hassan, Usman Mukhtar Muhammad, Abdulhamid Abdullahi
KEYWORDS:
Crash Dummy Head, Finite Element Analysis, Head Impact Location, Head Injury Criteria
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Transportation Technologies,
Vol.16 No.1,
January
26,
2026
ABSTRACT: In this work, the responses of child head to impact with a rigid surface have been investigated for five impact locations using finite element analysis. The Three Year Old (3YO) head model used was first validated by comparison with cadaver experimental data of size matched Nine Year Old (9YO) child head reported in the literature. The head model is comparable to 9YO cadaver in peak acceleration with highest difference of 29% in forehead; other impact locations were within 10% difference. Simulation was carried out in LS DYNA finite element code at 150mm and 300mm drop heights and Head Injury Criteria in 15 millisecond interval (HIC15) and Von Mises stress were found to be high for high impact heights. Occiput experienced highest HIC15 for the two heights. HIC15 for all impact locations and drop heights were found to be below the threshold of 570 for 3YO, recommended by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Von Mises stress was also different for impact locations and the highest value of 1.88 MPa at 300 mm height was found for frontal impact. This study revealed the variation in injuries for various crash dummy head locations for vehicle interior, helmet, and child restraint seat and vehicle front structure design. The results informed vehicle designers the extent of protection needed at various head impact locations. The head model can be applied in child safety assessment for vehicles and playgrounds.