Finite element modelling of a helmet
conference paper
To reduce the chance of head injuries, the most common and appropriate form of head protection to motorcyclists, moped riders and bicyclists is: wearing a helmet. In practice, helmets have proven their effectiveness. It is shown that for direct impact situations, an injury risk reduction of circa 30% to 90% can be achieved. However, a fundamental understanding of the way in which a helmet performs its protective function is still lacking. A three dimensional MADYMO finite element model of a full-face motorcycle helmet has been developed to obtain the needed insights. The model was validated by simulating ECE Regulation 022 impacts at different impact points using the acceleration time history of the headform as criterion. The model response corresponds well with the experimental results of top, rearward and frontal impacts. The model of the complete helmet confirms the observations by others and own high-speed film recordings that the impact load is applied to the headform by two mechanisms. These are crushing the foam material and the dynamical behaviour of the outer regions of the shell. Which can be obtained from a two-dimensional model.
TNO Identifier
362159
Source title
International Conference on new frontiers in Biomechanical Engineering, JSME, 18-19 July, 1997, Tokyo, Japan
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