Studies on Drop Test of a Helmeted Head Form with and Without Chinstrap Using LS-Dyna

Abstract

The aim of this research is to study the behavior of human head during the event of impact while wearing a helmet with and without locking the chinstrap. While many accidents are reported due to the negligence of wearing a helmet, there are also a few cases where not locking the chinstrap of the helmet led to major loss of lives. There is no much information about the threat level caused due to negligence of locking the chinstrap while wearing a helmet. This paper investigates the significance of locking the chinstrap, and compares the results of impact on head in both cases. The dimensions of a commercially available helmet are considered, and a head is designed to fit into the helmet. Numerical simulation, i.e., Impact test is carried out with the presence of chinstrap and in the absence of chinstrap using computer-aided engineering simulation solver LS-Dyna. The FEA model preparation and meshing is carried out using Hypermesh. Finally, comparisons are made on the impact of injured head. Results are plotted using Hyperview software. The impact forces during drop test of the helmeted form with a chinstrap were found to be minimal when compared to the forces without a chinstrap. The stresses on the chin region were major in case 2 in contrast with case 1 stresses. Energy plots were similar in both the scenarios, which ensure that drop test behavior is proper. The significance of chinstrap of helmet is immense while driving a two-wheeler. Numerical simulation also proves the importance of the chinstrap. Wearing a helmet with locked chinstrap results in minimal injuries to the victim rather than long-term diseases and death.