DYNAMIC STUDIES ON MOTORCYCLE HELMETS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Research Scholar, Dept. of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India.

2 Professor, Dept. of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India.

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Threes different motorcycle helmets were studied here to investigate the dynamic
performance. First is helmet with Acrylo-Butadiene Styrene (ABS) shell, second is
helmet with metal foam, and third is helmet with single groove and slot for providing the
ventilation. Computational fluid dynamics studies show considerable improvement in air
velocities inside the helmet in the presence of grooves and slot. Front impact analyses
with all the helmet models were carried out at 7 m.s-1 velocity. Forces, Head Injury
Criterion (HIC), and acceleration were evaluated by considering head as a rigid and
found not to change significantly due to the presence of groove and slot in the helmet.
The dynamic performance of a helmet with outer shell as metal foam was examined
and compared with ABS material.

Keywords