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Due to their extraordinary qualities, including fire resistance, excellent crashworthiness, low thermal conductivity, permeability, non-toxicity, and reduced density, cellular materials have found extensive use in various engineering applications. This study uses a finite element analysis (FEA) to model the dynamic compressive behaviour of agglomerated cork to ascertain how its material density and stress relaxation behaviour are related. Adding the Mullins effect into the constitutive modelling of impact tests, its rebound phase and subsequent second impact were further examined and simulated. Quasi-static and dynamic compression tests were used to evaluate the mechanical properties of three distinct agglomerated cork composite samples to feed the numerical model. According to the results, agglomerated cork has a significant capacity for elastic rebound, especially under dynamic strain rates, with minimal permanent deformation. For instance, the minimum value of its bounce-back energy is 11.8% of the initial kinetic energy, and its maximum permanent plastic deformation is less than 10%. The material's model simulation adequately depicts the agglomerated cork's response to initial and follow-up impacts by accurately reproducing the material's dynamic compressive behaviour. In terms of innovation, this work stands out since it tackles the rebounding phenomena, which was not previously investigated in this group's prior publication, either numerically or experimentally. Thus, this group has expanded the research on cork materials' attributes.

Traumatic brain injury is a significant problem worldwide. In the United States of America, around 1.7 million cases are documented annually, displaying the need for a deeper understanding of the effects on the human brain. The tests required for this assessment are very complex. Tests on cadavers may raise serious ethical questions, and in vivo crash tests are not viable. In this context, there is a great need to developing finite element head models (FEHM) to study the biomechanics of the tissues when submitted to a certain impact or acceleration/deceleration scenario. An excellent compromise between accuracy and CPU efficiency is always desirable for a FEHM, For this reason, this work focuses on the improvement of an existing head model, including the study of the behavior of the brain using distinct finite element types. The finite element type and formulation is of utmost importance for the general accuracy and efficiency of the models. Several validations were performed, comparing the simulation results against experimental data. The simulations with hexahedral elements, under specific conditions, obtained more accurate results with a lower computational cost. Using hexahedrals, a comparison was also performed using two material characterizations with more than 10 years apart, using the latest finite element head model validation experiment. Overall, the newer material model displays a less stiff response, although its implementation must always depend on the overall purpose of the model it is being applied to., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Cork composites are byproducts from wine stopper production, resulting from the agglomeration of cork granules with a thermoset resin. The resulting compound is a versatile and durable material with numerous industrial applications. Due to its unique properties, such as low-density, high-strength, excellent energy absorption, and good thermal and acoustic insulators, cork composites find room for application in demanding industries such as automotive, construction, and aerospace. However, agglomerated cork typically has a polyurethane matrix derived from petrochemical sources. This study focuses on developing eco-friendly porous polyurethane biocomposites manufactured with the used cooking oil polyol modified with cork. Since cork and polyurethane foam are typically used for impact shock absorption, the manufactured samples were subjected to impact loading. The assessment of crashworthiness is performed through 100 J impact tests. A finite element numerical model was developed to simulate the compression of these new composites under impact, and the model validation was performed. The highest specific absorbed energy was obtained for petrochemical polyol composites with the 3% addition of natural or modified cork. The research conducted in this study showcased the feasibility of substituting certain petrochemical components used for the synthesis of the polyurethane matrix with ecological waste vegetable oil components.

Background and Objective: Traumatic brain injuries are one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world. To better understand the interactions and forces applied in different constituents of the human head, several finite element head models have been developed throughout the years, for offering a good cost-effective and ethical approach compared to experimental tests. Once validated, the female finite element head model (FeFEHM) will allow a better understanding of injury mechanisms resulting in neuronal damage, which can later evolve into neurodegenerative diseases., Methods: This work encompasses the approached methodology starting from medical images and finite element modelling until the validation process using novel experimental data of brain displacements conducted on human cadavers. The material modelling of the brain is performed using an age-specific characterization of the brain using microindentation at dynamic rates and under large deformation, with a similar age to the patient used to model the FeFEHM., Results: The numerical displacement curves are in good accordance with the experimental data, displaying similar peak times and values, in all three anatomical planes. The case study result shows a similarity between the pressure fields of the FeFEHM compared to another model, highlighting the future potential of the model., Conclusions: The initial objective was met, and a new female finite element head model has been developed with biofidelic brain motion. This model will be used for the assessment of repetitive impact scenarios and its repercussions on the female brain., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The biomechanics of traumatic injuries of the human body as a consequence of road crashes, falling, contact sports, and military environments have been studied for decades. In particular, traumatic brain injury (TBI), the so-called "silent epidemic", is the traumatic insult responsible for the greatest percentage of death and disability, justifying the relevance of this research topic. Despite its great importance, only recently have research groups started to seriously consider the sex differences regarding the morphology and physiology of women, which differs from men and may result in a specific outcome for a given traumatic event. This work aims to provide a summary of the contributions given in this field so far, from clinical reports to numerical models, covering not only the direct injuries from inertial loading scenarios but also the role sex plays in the conditions that precede an accident, and post-traumatic events, with an emphasis on neuroendocrine dysfunctions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. A review on finite element head models and finite element neck models for the study of specific traumatic events is also performed, discussing whether sex was a factor in validating them. Based on the information collected, improvement perspectives and future directions are discussed.

Numerical methods are often a robust way to predict how external mechanical loads affect individual biological structures. Computational models of biological systems have been developed over the years, reaching high levels of detail, complexity, and precision. In this study, two cases were analysed, differing in the airbag operation; in the first, the airbag was normally activated, and in the second case, the airbag was disabled. We analysed a model of a disabled person without a left leg who steers a vehicle using a specialized knob on the steering wheel. In both cases, a head-on collision between a car moving at an initial speed of 50 km/h and a rigid obstacle was analysed. We concluded that the activated airbag for a person with disabilities reduces the effects of asymmetries in the positioning of the belts and body support points. Moreover, all the biomechanical parameters, analysed on the 50th percentile dummy, i.e., HIC, seat belt contact force and neck injury criterion (Nij) support the use of an airbag. The resulting accelerations, measured in the head of the dummy, were induced into a finite element head model (YEAHM) to kinematically drive the head and simulate both accidents, with and without the airbag. In the latter, the subsequent head injury prediction revealed a form of contrecoup injury, more specifically cerebral contusion based on the intracranial pressure levels that were achieved. Therefore, based on the in-depth investigation, a frontal airbag can significantly lower the possibility of injuries for disabled drivers, including cerebral contusions.