In-Vacuo Modal Dynamic Response of the Human Skull

A finite element model of a human skull is analyzed in order to determine the lowest natural modes of vibration. A doubly curved, triangular, thin shell element formulation is used, within the framework of a general-purpose program, to investigate the effect of various support systems on the frequencies and modal shapes. The frequencies are found to be in good agreement with the results of other investigators and the modal shapes offer some insight into a modified theory of craniocerebral damage that includes both skull rotation and cavitation as pathogenic mechanisms.