Finite element analysis of helmeted oblique impacts and head injury evaluation with a commercial road helmet

In this work, the safety performance of a commercial motorcycle helmet already placed on the market is assessed. The assessed motorcycle helmet is currently homologated by several relevant motorcycle standards. Impacts including translational and rotational motions are accurately simulated through a finite element numerical framework. The developed model was validated against experimental results: firstly, a validation concerning the constitutive model for the expanded polystyrene, the material responsible for energy absorption during impact; secondly, a validation regarding the acceleration measured at the headform's centre of gravity during the linear impacts defined in the ECE R22.05 standard. Both were successfully validated. After model validation, an oblique impact was simulated and the results were compared against head injury thresholds in order to predict the resultant head injuries. From this comparison, it was concluded that brain injuries such as concussion and diffuse axonal injury may occur even with a helmet certified by the majority of the motorcycle helmet standards. Unfortunately, these standards currently do not contemplate rotational components of acceleration. Conclusion points out to a strong recommendation on the necessity of including rotational motion in forthcoming motorcycle helmet standards and improving the current test procedures and head injury criteria used by the standards, to improve the safety between the motorcyclists.