Optimized design of motorcycle helmets

• Grant number: 19/05444-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2019
• End date: May 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Mechanics of Solids
• Principal Investigator: Marcílio Alves
• Grantee: Marcílio Alves
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Larissa Driemeier ; Rafael Celeghini Santiago
• Associated research grant(s): 20/00782-2 - Fatigue and impact behavior of titanium alloy made by additive manufacturing, AP.R SPRINT

Abstract

In Brazil more than twenty thousand young people die each year in motorcycle accidents. At the same time, we market over one million new motorcycles annually. One of the most important safety items for motorcyclists is the helmet, compulsory throughout the country. Brazilian helmets should all be tested to assess their impact performance, according to Brazilian standards. In this scenario, this project aims to create and study a finite element helmet model to analyze the overall response of this system to impact loads, such as those specified in standard tests and as those occurring in real accident scenarios. From this study we will obtain, by means of optimization and design of experiment techniques, DoE, an optimized helmet capable of absorbing well impact forces. Use of metamaterials and innovative geometries will be made. (AU)