Optimization of the Chin Bar of a Composite-Shell Helmet to Mitigate the Upper Neck Force
Source abstract
Abstract
The chin bar of motorcycle full-face helmets is the most likely region of the helmet to sustain impacts during accidents, with a large percentage of these impacts leading to basilar skull fracture. Currently, helmet chin bars are designed to mitigate the peak acceleration at the centre of gravity of isolated headforms, as required by standards, but they are not designed to mitigate the neck force, which is probably the cause of basilar skull fracture, a type of head injury that can lead to fatalities. Here we test whether it is possible to increase the protection of helmet chin bars while meeting standard requirements. Fibre-reinforced composite shells are commonly used in helmets due to their lightweight and energy absorption characteristics. We optimize the ply orientation of a chin bar made of fibre-reinforced composite layers for reduction of the neck force in a dummy model using a computational approach. We use the finite element model of a human head/neck surrogate and measure the neck axial force, which has been shown to be correlated with the risk of basilar skull fracture. The results show that by varying the orientation of the chin bar plies, thus keeping the helmet mass constant, the neck axial force can be reduced by approximately 30% while ensuring that the helmet complies with the impact attenuation requirements prescribed in helmet standards.
Source: openaire · Quality: candidate unverified · Source record ↗
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Automotive and Human Injury Biomechanics · Transportation Safety and Impact Analysis · Injury Epidemiology and Prevention
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (63)
Show source-provided references
1. Brandstaetter, C., Yannis, G., Evgenikos, P., Argyropoulou, E., Papantoniou, P., Reurings, M., Vis, M., Broughton, J., Knowles, J., Pace, J.-F., López-de-Cozar, E., Pérez-Fuster, P., Sanmartín, J., Haddak, M.: Annual statistical report, deliverable D3.9 of the EC FP7 project DaCoTA (2012)
2. Koornstra, M., Broughton, J., Esberger, R., Glansdorp, C., Köppel, W., Taylor, F., Cauzard, J.-P., Evans, A., Hantula, L., Piers, M., Vanlaar, W.: Transport safety performance in the Eu A statistical overview. European Transport Safety Council, Brussels (2003)
3. Peden, M., Scurfield, R., Sleet, D., Mohan, D., Hyder, A., Jarawan, E., Mathers, C.: World report on road traffic injury prevention. World Health Organization, Geneva (2004)
4. Lin, M.-R., Kraus, J.F.: Methodological issues in motorcycle injury epidemiology. Accid. Anal. Prev. 40, 1653–1660 (2008)10.1016/j.aap.2008.05.005 ↗
5. Fernandes, F.A.O., Alves de Sousa, R.J.: Motorcycle helmets—a state of the art review. Accid. Anal. Prev. 56, 1–21 (2013)10.1016/j.aap.2013.03.011 ↗
6. Krantz, K.P.: Head and neck injuries to motorcycle and moped riders-with special regard to the effect of protective helmets. Injury. 16, 253–258 (1985)10.1016/S0020-1383(85)80014-0 ↗
7. Ramli, R., Oxley, J., Noor, F.M., Abdullah, N.K., Mahmood, M.S., Tajuddin, A.K., McClure, R.: Fatal injuries among motorcyclists in Klang Valley, Malaysia. J. Forensic Legal Med. 26, 39–45 (2014)10.1016/j.jflm.2014.06.007 ↗
8. Badiali, G., Pasquini, E., Piccin, O., Marchetti, C.: Injury risk related to the helmet strap: mandible and hyoid bone fractures with a hyoepiglottic ligament lesion. Injury. Extra. 41, 89–91 (2010)10.1016/j.injury.2010.05.011 ↗
9. Ouellet, J.V., Thom, D.R., Smith, T., Hurt, H.H.: Helmets and neck injuries in fatal motorcycle crashes. In: International Motorcycle Safety Conference, Orange County, US (2013)
10. Richter, M., Otte, D., Lehmann, U., Chinn, B., Schuller, E., Doyle, D., Sturrock, K., Krettek, C.: Head injury mechanisms in helmet-protected motorcyclists: prospective multicenter study. J. Trauma. 51, 949–958 (2001)10.1097/00005373-200111000-00021 ↗
11. Liu, B.C., Ivers, R., Norton, R., Boufous, S., Blows, S., Lo, S.K.: Helmets for preventing injury in motorcycle riders. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 2 (2008)10.1002/14651858.CD004333.pub3 ↗
12. Abbas, A.K., Hefny, A.F., Abu-Zidan, F.M.: Does wearing helmets reduce motorcycle-related death? A global evaluation. Accid. Anal. Prev. 49, 249–252 (2012)10.1016/j.aap.2011.09.033 ↗
13. Shuaeib, F.M., Hamouda, A.M.S., Umar, R.S.R., Hamdan, M.M., Hashmi, M.S.J.: Motorcycle helmet - part I. Biomechanics and computational issues. J. Mater. Process. Tech. 3, 406–421 (2002)10.1016/S0924-0136(02)00048-1 ↗
14. Sahoo, D., Deck, C., Willinger, R.: Development and validation of an advanced anisotropic visco-hyperelastic human brain FE model. J. Mech. Behav. Biomed. Mater. 33, 24–42 (2014)10.1016/j.jmbbm.2013.08.022 ↗
15. Willinger, R., Deck, C.: Model based head injury criteria for head protection optimization. In: Helmet Performance and Design, London (2013)
16. Cernicchi, A., Galvanetto, U., Iannucci, L.: Virtual modelling of safety helmets: practical problems. Int. J. Crashworthiness. 13, 451–467 (2008)10.1080/13588260802055460 ↗
17. Pinnoji, P.K., Mahajan, P.: Analysis of impact-induced damage and delamination in the composite shell of a helmet. Mater. Des. 31, 3716–3723 (2010)10.1016/j.matdes.2010.03.011 ↗
18. Mills, N.J., Wilkes, S., Derler, S., Flisch, A.: FEA of oblique impact tests on a motorcycle helmet. Int. J. Impact Eng. 36, 913–925 (2009)10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2008.12.011 ↗
19. Ghajari, M., Galvanetto, U., Iannucci, L., Willinger, R.: Influence of the body on the response of the helmeted head during impact. Int. J. Crashworthiness. 16, 285–295 (2011)10.1080/13588265.2011.559798 ↗
20. Caserta, G.D., Iannucci, L., Galvanetto, U.: Shock absorption performance of a motorbike helmet with honeycomb reinforced liner. Compos. Struct. 93, 2748–2759 (2011)10.1016/j.compstruct.2011.05.029 ↗
21. Coelho, R.M., Alves de Sousa, R.J., Fernandes, F.A.O., Teixeira-Dias, F.: New composite liners for energy absorption purposes. Mater. Des. 43, 384–392 (2013)10.1016/j.matdes.2012.07.020 ↗
22. Dowdell, B., Long, G.J., Ward, J., Griffiths, M.: A study of helmet damage and rider head/neck injuries for crash involved motorcyclists. Roads and traffic authority, road safety bureau, New South Wales (1988)
23. Whyte, T., Gibson, T., Anderson, R., Eager, D., Milthorpe, B.: Mechanisms of head and neck injuries sustained by helmeted motorcyclists in fatal real-world crashes: analysis of 47 In-depth cases. J. Neurotrauma. 33, 1802–1807 (2016)10.1089/neu.2015.4208 ↗
24. Piantini, S., Pierini, M., Delogu, M., Baldanzini, N., Franci, A., Mangini, M., Peris, A.: Injury analysis of powered two-wheeler versus other-vehicle urban accidents. In: IRCOBI Conference., Malaga, Spain (2016)
25. Chee, C.P., Ali, A.: Basal skull fractures. A prospective study of 100 consecutive admissions. Aust. N. Z. J. Surg. 61, 597–602 (1991)10.1111/j.1445-2197.1991.tb00299.x ↗
26. Rawling, L.B.: The Surgery of the Skull and Brain. Oxford Medical Publication, London (1912)
27. Gibson, T.J., Thai, K.: Helmet protection against basilar skull fracture. Report to the Federal Office of Road Safety, Canberra (2007)10.1016/S0021-9290(07)70089-1 ↗
28. Wani, A.A., Ramzan, A.U., Raina, T., Malik, N.K., Nizami, F.A., Qayoom, A., Singh, G.: Skull base fractures: an institutional experience with review of literature. Indian. J. Neurotrauma. 10, 120–126 (2013)10.1016/j.ijnt.2013.05.009 ↗
29. Harvey, F.H., Jones, A.M.: Typical basal skull fracture of both petrous bones: an unreliable indicator of head impact site. J. Forensic. Sci. 25, 280–286 (1980)10.1520/JFS12123J ↗
30. Cooter, R.D., David, D.J.: Motorcyclist craniofacial injury patterns. In: Proceedings of the International Motorcycle Safety Conference, Orlando (1990)
31. Thibault, L.E., Gennarelli, T.A.: Biomechanics and craniocerebral trauma, Central Nervous System Trauma Research Status Report, Bethesda (1985)
32. Shkrum, M.J., Ramsay, D.A.: Forensic Pathology of Trauma. Humana Press: Totowa (2007)10.1007/978-1-59745-138-3 ↗
33. Shaw, C.M., Alvord, E.C.: Injury of the basilar artery associated with closed head trauma. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry. 35, 247–257 (1972)10.1136/jnnp.35.2.247 ↗
34. Sprogøe-Jakobsen, S., Falk, E.: Fatal thrombosis of the basilar artery due to a minor head injury. Forensic Sci. Int. 45, 239–245 (1990)10.1016/0379-0738(90)90180-7 ↗
35. Shaqiri, E., Vyshka, G., Sinamati, A., Ymaj, B., Ismaili, Z.: Fatal basilar thrombosis possibly related to minor cervical trauma: a case report. Case Rep. Med. 2010, (2010)10.1155/2010/401978 ↗
36. LeCount, E.R., Hockzema, J.: Symmetrical traumatic fractures of the cranium; symmetrical fragmentation. Arch. Surg. 29, 171 (1934)10.1001/archsurg.1934.01180020003001 ↗
37. Vance, B.M., LeCount, E.R., Apfelbach, C.W.: Fractures of the skull. Arch. Surg. 14, 1023 (1927)10.1001/archsurg.1927.01130170071005 ↗
38. Moritz, A.R.: The Pathology of Trauma. Henry Kimpton, London (1954)
39. Werne, S.: Studies in spontaneous atlas dislocation. Acta Orthop. Scand. Suppl. 23, 1–150 (1957)
40. McElhaney, J.H., Hopper, R.H., Nightingale, R.W., Myers, B.S.: Mechanisms of basilar skull fracture. J. Neurotrauma. 12, 669–678 (1995)10.1089/neu.1995.12.669 ↗
41. ECE 22.05: Uniform provisions concerning the approval of protective helmets and of their visors for drivers and passengers of motorcycles and mopeds, E/ECE/324 & E/ECE/TRANS/505 Addendum 21, Regulation No. 22, Revision 4, Geneva (2002)
42. Snell 2015: Standard for protective headgear for use with motorcycles and other motorized vehicles (2015)
43. Ghajari, M., Deck, C., Galvanetto, U., Iannucci, L., Willinger, R.: Development of numerical models for the investigation of motorcyclists accidents. In: 7th European LS-Dyna Conference (2009)
44. Ghajari, M.: The influence of the body on the response of the helmeted head during impact (2011)10.1080/13588265.2011.559798 ↗
45. LS-dyna keyword user’s manual :(2014)
46. Gibson, L.J., Ashby, M.F.: Cellular solids, structure and properties. cambridge solid state science series: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1999)
47. Ghajari, M., Peldschus, S., Galvanetto, U., Iannucci, L.: Evaluation of the effective mass of the body for helmet impacts. Int. J. Crashworthiness. 16, 621–631 (2011)10.1080/13588265.2011.616078 ↗
48. Matzenmiller, A., Lubliner, J., Taylor, R.L.: A constitutive model for anisotropic damage in fiber-composites. Mech. Mater. 20, 125–152 (1995)10.1016/0167-6636(94)00053-0 ↗
49. Xiao, X., Botkin, M.E., Johnson, N.L.: Axial crush simulation of braided carbon tubes using MAT58 in LS-DYNA. Thin-Walled. Struct. 47, 740–749 (2009)10.1016/j.tws.2008.12.004 ↗
50. Schweizerhof, K., Weimar, K., Munz, T., Rottner, T.: Crashworthiness analysis with enhanced composite material models in LS-DYNA—merit and limits. In: fifth international LS-DYNA conference, Southfield, Michigan (1998)
51. Ghajari, M., Peldschus, S., Galvanetto, U., Iannucci, L.: Effects of the presence of the body in helmet oblique impacts. Accid. Anal. Prev. 50, 263–271 (2013)10.1016/j.aap.2012.04.016 ↗
52. Wang, H.W., Zhou, H.W., Gui, L.L., Ji, H.W., Zhang, X.C.: Analysis of effect of fiber orientation on Young’s modulus for unidirectional fiber reinforced composites. Compos. Part. B. Eng. 56, 733–739 (2014)10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.09.020 ↗
53. Mahdi, E., Hamouda, A.M.S., Sebaey, T.A.: The effect of fiber orientation on the energy absorption capability of axially crushed composite tubes. Mater. Des. 56, 923–928 (2014)10.1016/j.matdes.2013.12.009 ↗
54. Roberts, J.C., Harrigan, T.P., Ward, E.E., Taylor, T.M., Annett, M.S., Merkle, A.C.: Human head–neck computational model for assessing blast injury. J. Biomech. 45, 2899–2906 (2012)10.1016/j.jbiomech.2012.07.027 ↗
55. Tse, K.M., Tan, L.B., Lee, S.J., Lim, S.P., Lee, H.P.: Investigation of the relationship between facial injuries and traumatic brain injuries using a realistic subject-specific finite element head model. Accid. Anal. Prev. 79, 13–32 (2015)10.1016/j.aap.2015.03.012 ↗
56. Guha, S.: LSTC_NCAC Hybrid III 50th Dummy Positioning & Post-Processing (2014)
57. Bartsch, A., Benzel, E., Miele, V., Morr, D., Prakash, V.: Hybrid III anthropomorphic test device (ATD) response to head impacts and potential implications for athletic headgear testing. Accid. Anal. Prev. 48, 285–291 (2012)10.1016/j.aap.2012.01.032 ↗
58. SAE J211–1 (1995): Instrumentation for impact test, part 1, Electronic instrumentation (2007)
59. Liu-Shindo, M., Hawkins, D.B.: Basilar skull fractures in children. Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. 17, 109–117 (1989)10.1016/0165-5876(89)90086-4 ↗
60. Voigt, G.E., Sköld, G.: Ring fractures of the base of the skull. J. Trauma. 14, 494–505 (1974)10.1097/00005373-197406000-00006 ↗
61. Chang, C.H., Chang, L.T., Chang, G.L., Huang, S.C., Wang, C.H.: Head injury in facial impact--a finite element analysis of helmet chin bar performance. J. Biomech. Eng. 122, 640–646 (2000)10.1115/1.1318905 ↗
62. Fréchède, B., McIntosh, A., Grzebieta, R., Bambach, M.: Hybrid III ATD in inverted impacts: influence of impact angle on neck injury risk assessment. Ann. Biomed. Eng. 37, 1403–1414 (2009)10.1007/s10439-009-9711-4 ↗
63. Herbst, B., Forrest, S., Chng, D., Sances, A.: Fidelity of Anthropometric test dummy necks in rollover accidents. In: Proceedings of the 16th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles, Washington (1998)