Protection capability of bicycle helmets under oblique impact assessed with two separate brain FE models

• The present study proposes a bicycle helmet evaluation under oblique impact based on a coupled experimental versus numerical test method using two separate brain FE models. For each of the 17 helmet types three oblique impacts have been conducted and the 6D headform acceleration curves have been considered as the initial conditions of the brain injury risk assessment based on the FE simulation. The study gives a new insight into helmet protection capability under oblique loading and shows that adequate protection is offered by most of the helmets when impacts leading to rotation around X and Y are concerned. However when impact leads to rotation around Z axis the protection is critical for nearly all helmets. The study considers two separate brain FE models for the assessment of brain injury risk and thus permits a comparative analysis of brain FE modeling. When impact induces rotation around X and Y axis the computed results are comparable. However when rotation around Z axis are concerned significant differences are observed which demonstrate that further efforts are needed in the domain of model based brain injury criteria harmonization. 

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Medicinteknik -- Annan medicinteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Medical Engineering -- Other Medical Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Bicycle helmets

Head injury criteria

Oblique impact brain FEM

Test method

Bicycles

Finite element method

Numerical methods

Risk assessment

Rotation

Safety devices

Separation

Acceleration curve

Bicycle helmet

Comparative analysis

Head injury criterion

Initial conditions

Oblique impact

Protection capabilities

Accident prevention

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)