Data from: Theoretical model of impact mitigation mechanisms inherent to the North American bison skull

North American bison (Bovidae: Bison bison) incur blunt impacts to the
interparietal and frontal bones when they engage in head-to-head fights.
To investigate the impact mitigation of these bones, a finite element
analysis (FEA) of the skull under loading conditions was performed. Based
on anatomical and histological studies, the interparietal and frontal
bones are both comprised of a combination of haversian and plexiform bone
and are both underlain by bony septa. Additionally, the interparietal bone
is thicker than the frontal bone. Data regarding the mechanical properties
of bison bone are scarce, but the results of a phylogenetic analysis infer
that the material properties of the closely-related domestic cow bone are
a suitable proxy for use in the FEA. Results of the FEA suggest that the
thickness of the interparietal bone in conjunction with the bony septa may
prevent fracture stresses by helping to absorb and disperse the blunt
impact energy throughout the skull. Monotonic stress levels of 294 MPa,
which are below the compressive strength of bone were exhibited in the
simulated bison head impacts indicating no fracture of the bones.