Abstract: To explore the dynamic physical response of cranial brain under shock wave in warfare conditions, a physical model of protected/unprotected head surrogate impacted by shock wave from a soldier's rocket muzzle and intracranial pressure is developed. The pressure and evolution of different intracranial parts are analyzed. The intracranial pressure evolution for protected/unprotected head surrogates are compared. Under muzzle shock wave, the time-overpressure curve of unprotected intracranial pressure exhibits atypical shock wave characteristics. Unlike typical shock waves, the overpressure rises more slowly and lasts longer. The overpressure curve exhibits alternating oscillations of positive and negative pressure. The oscillation period is about 1 ms. The peak overpressure varies significantly in different intracranial parts. The counter shock side of the intracranial exhibits a significant negative pressure. The peak positive pressure on the counter shock side is nearly twice of that on the shock side, but the pressure impulses at different intracranial points are close to one another. Overpressure attenuation rates of different protected intracranial parts vary significantly. Compared with other intracranial parts, the overpressure attenuation rate of the counter shock side is highest. Moreover, the negative pressure effect on the counter shock side is weakened when covered with armor. The attenuation rate of the overpressure on the shock side is not obvious. The peak overpressure even increases in some parts with amor covered.

Key words: individualsoldierrocket, shockwave, headsurrogate, armor, overpressurecharacteristics