Dissipation of Energy in Sandwich-Structured Equestrian Helmet – Numerical Analysis Under Overload Conditions

Protection of the head structures is a requirement in many sports where a person is exposed to injuries that threaten life or health. In horse riding accidents occur often, resulting in serious head injuries. The analysis of the available literature shows that the helmets used now protect human head structures in a small percentage. The aim of the research was to analyze the degree of protection of the human head using available helmet structure and a new solution for the Energy absorbing layer in helmet that absorbs Energy from impacts. The research was divided into two stages. During the first one, a simulation was performer under dynamic conditions simulating the rider’s fall and the contact of the head with ground (impact from the side). In the second stage, three structures of the absorbing layers were developed, i.e. honeycomb, auxetic, mixed with three three wall thicknesses (1 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm respectively) and two materials were used: the currently used EPS and the aluminium alloy used in the motorcycle helmet.