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Published on: September 21, 2017
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Dynamic Response and Residual Helmet Liner Crush Using Cadaver Heads and Standard Headforms
S J Bonin1,2, J F Luck3, C R Bass3
1Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
|August 25, 2016
Summary
Motorcycle helmet testing using biomechanical headforms shows significant differences compared to cadaver heads. These headform limitations must be considered when assessing impact protection based on helmet crush depth and volume.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Injury Biomechanics
- Helmet Technology
Background:
- Biomechanical headforms are crucial for helmet certification and impact reconstruction.
- The biofidelity and direct applicability of headforms to human head and helmet responses are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the dynamic responses and residual foam liner deformations of cadaver heads and three headforms during motorcycle helmet impacts.
- To evaluate the accuracy of headforms in simulating human head and helmet responses.
Main Methods:
- Instrumented, helmeted cadaver heads and headforms were dropped onto a flat anvil at varying impact energies (75, 150, 195 J).
- Computed tomography (CT) scans quantified helmet liner crush depth and volume.
- General linear and regression models analyzed the effects of head type and impact energy on acceleration, Head Injury Criterion (HIC), force, and crush metrics.
Main Results:
- Cadaver heads produced higher peak accelerations, HICs, and forces compared to all tested headforms.
- Cadaver heads exhibited greater maximum liner crush depth than the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) headform.
- Cadaver heads showed larger liner crush volumes than the Department of Transportation (DOT) headform.
Conclusions:
- Significant biomechanical differences exist between cadaver heads and current headforms.
- These discrepancies must be addressed when using helmet residual crush depth or volume to estimate impact exposure.
- Further research is needed to improve headform biofidelity for accurate helmet performance evaluation.
