Investigation on Helmet Structural Performance under Severity of Motorcycle Accidents in Thailand

Motorcycles are one of the primary vehicles in Thailand for transportation and are used nationwide. To safely ride a motorcycle, the helmet is an important protection equipment that is designed and created for motorcyclists and the passenger’s safety. However, even when wearing helmets accidents from motorcycles always cause serious injuries and fatalities. There are several accredited agencies such as the Department of Transportation (DOT) from the United States, the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE-R22.05) from European communities, or the Thai Industrial Standards (TIS 369-2557) from Thailand to regulate, certify and approve the strength of motorcycle helmet structure by testing them in various accident scenarios. Those regulators perform tests by simplifying simple cases of motorcycle accidents such as collision with a rigid wall without sliding effects, which however opposes to the behaviour of motorcycle traffic accidents in Thailand.

In consequence, the development of motorcycle helmet structure in Thailand is therefore necessary and important, to raise the level of safety for motorcyclist in correspondence to the characteristics of traffic accidents in Thailand. Moreover, the optimal performance of a helmet structure can prevent the risk of head injuries during a collision by increasing the energy absorption efficiently.

The current research aims to employ a nonlinear explicit dynamic on finite element analysis via LS-DYNA program to investigate the strength of motorcycle helmet structure in Thailand according to impact, severity, and different scenarios of traffic accidents that frequently occur in Thailand. Several cases for motorcycle accidents based on real conditions of traffic accidents are considered and taken into analysis such as sliding on a rigid wall, applying tangential velocity for impact simulation, and collision with a sharp-stopper on the footpath. All cases considered in this research uses finite element modelling, an advanced technique for simulation to confirm that the strength requirements are higher than official regulations. The head injury on a motorcyclist is also examined using Head Injury Criteria (HIC) and Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) to evidently assess the motorcycle helmet performance such as injury prevention and lightweight design. Leading to recommendation in structural improvement of the helmet structure with highest performance in various conditions in Thailand. Ultimately, outcomes from this research are expected to identify the limitations, strengthen the requirements of helmet testing standard in Thailand and suggest the design improvement of motorcycle helmet structure. Additionally, raising the level of safety for motorcyclists with suitable helmet structural design is also anticipated, aiming to reduce the chances of injuries or fatalities that may occur.