A preliminary FE analysis of a helmeted head in an A-pillar impact: effects of whole-body kinematic behavior of cyclist and head-helmet interaction on brain strain. Issue 1 (2nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ito, Daisuke; Sugiura, Kotaro; Mizuno, Koji
• Is Part Of: International journal of crashworthiness. Volume 27:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 160
• Page End: 167
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02
• Subjects: Cyclist -- helmet -- head rotation -- brain injury -- FE simulation; Automobiles -- Crashworthiness -- Periodicals; Airplanes -- Crashworthiness -- Periodicals; 629.2042
• DOI: 10.1080/13588265.2020.1779995
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1358-8265

Abstract

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the rotational mechanisms of a helmeted head and the effects of whole-body kinematic behavior of a cyclist and head-helmet interaction on head rotation and brain strain in an A-pillar impact in a car-to-cyclist collision. FE simulations where helmeted and unhelmeted cyclist models configured to collide with a small sedan car model were conducted. Although the number of impact simulations was limited, rapid head rotational motion and high brain strain were observed despite wearing a helmet model due to bottoming out of the helmet liner. In contrast, a low-friction helmet could reduce the change of head angular velocity and brain strain due to a significant reduction of a moment of force. In addition, the head rotation before impact generated relatively high brain strain, which indicated importance of whole-body kinematic behavior to discuss brain deformation in car-to-cyclist collisions.