Finite Element Modelling of a Honeycomb Reinforced Helmet

The improvement of the protection offered by motorcycle helmets through use of non-conventional energy absorbing materials could significantly reduce the number of motorcyclists’ fatalities. The use of Finite Element Analyses is of considerable importance for the design of innovative helmets and prediction of their shock absorption properties under a multitude of loading conditions. This paper investigates the modeling of a honeycomb reinforced helmet in Ls- Dyna environment. The ECE 22.05 standard impact tests are simulated in the front, top and rear regions of the helmet, and the numerical outcomes are compared to experimental results. Overall, the model realistically reproduces the impact response of the helmets. Particularly good agreement with experimental results is observed from impacts in the front and rear regions, against the kerbstone anvil. However, finite element results obtained from impacts in the crown region highlight the limitation of the strategy adopted in the present research, suggesting that further work is needed to improve the modeling of the helmet.