A free-vibration analysis for the human cranial system.

The problem of free-vibration of the cranial vault is studied in the paper by taking into account the dissipative material behaviour of both the skull and the brain. Two mathematical models are considered for this purpose. In one model, the layered structure (inner table, diploë and outer table) of the skull is considered, the outer surface of the skull being assumed to be traction-free while the second model assumes the homogeneity of the skull but takes into account the mechanical influence of the scalp. Results of numerical computation show that the dissipative material behaviour of the skull as well as the brain and also the mechanical influence of the scalp have a significant effect on the frequency spectrum of the freely vibrating cranial system.