Effects of Half-Face Helmets on Motorcyclist Head Injuries: A Finite Element Simulation Study with Experimental Validation

Du Ho Trong; Anh Ly Hung; Trang Nguyen Van

doi:10.30939/ijastech..1831183

Effects of Half-Face Helmets on Motorcyclist Head Injuries: A Finite Element Simulation Study with Experimental Validation

Abstract

Motorcyclists frequently sustain severe head injuries in traffic accidents, particularly in Southeast Asian nations where the use of half-face helmets remains widespread. This study investigates the effects of impact speed and impact location on the severity of head injuries, including potential traumatic brain injury. Numerical simulations were conducted using the Vietnamese-Total Human Model for Safety (V-THUMS) alongside a validated finite element model of a half-face helmet to perform comprehensive numerical simulations. Experimental validation of the helmet model was achieved through drop tests conducted at the Quatest 3 Center. A comparative analysis of simulated and experimental acceleration, time histories demonstrated comparable response characteristics, with a minimal deviation of 3.1% in peak acceleration, confirming the reliability of the finite element model. The helmeted V-THUMS head was subjected to impact at four locations, including: forehead, occipital, temple, and vertex, across speeds ranging from 2 to 8 m/s. The Head Injury Criterion (HIC), peak linear acceleration (PLA), and strain energy absorbed by the helmet foam were calculated to elucidate the injury mechanisms. The results indicate that the helmet foam layer absorbs approximately 84.1% of the total strain energy, significantly mitigating impact severity. Wearing a helmet significantly reduces the HIC value by up to 74.8% compared to unhelmeted scenarios and effectively prevents critical head accelerations that may lead to brain injury. However, impacts exceeding 8 m/s markedly diminish the protective capacity of the helmet, decreasing it considerably, presenting an escalated risk of severe or fatal injury. These findings not only clarify the protective performance of half-face helmets under diverse impact conditions but also provide practical insights for helmet design improvements and the revision of safety standards aimed at enhancing head protection in real-world motorcycle collisions.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None

Project Number

none

Ethical Statement

No human or animal subjects were involved in this study; ethical approval was not necessary.

Thanks

None

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Automotive Safety Engineering, Automotive Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Du Ho Trong ^*
0000-0001-9906-5506
Vietnam

Anh Ly Hung
0000-0001-9746-4095
Vietnam

Trang Nguyen Van
0009-0003-7819-6752
Vietnam

Publication Date

March 7, 2026

Submission Date

November 27, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 4, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30939/ijastech..1831183

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA38DS72UF

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Ho Trong, D., Ly Hung, A., & Nguyen Van, T. (2026). Effects of Half-Face Helmets on Motorcyclist Head Injuries: A Finite Element Simulation Study with Experimental Validation. International Journal of Automotive Science And Technology, 10(1), 112-122. https://doi.org/10.30939/ijastech..1831183

AMA

1.Ho Trong D, Ly Hung A, Nguyen Van T. Effects of Half-Face Helmets on Motorcyclist Head Injuries: A Finite Element Simulation Study with Experimental Validation. IJASTECH. 2026;10(1):112-122. doi:10.30939/ijastech.1831183

Chicago

Ho Trong, Du, Anh Ly Hung, and Trang Nguyen Van. 2026. “Effects of Half-Face Helmets on Motorcyclist Head Injuries: A Finite Element Simulation Study With Experimental Validation”. International Journal of Automotive Science And Technology 10 (1): 112-22. https://doi.org/10.30939/ijastech. 1831183.

EndNote

Ho Trong D, Ly Hung A, Nguyen Van T (March 1, 2026) Effects of Half-Face Helmets on Motorcyclist Head Injuries: A Finite Element Simulation Study with Experimental Validation. International Journal of Automotive Science And Technology 10 1 112–122.

IEEE

[1]D. Ho Trong, A. Ly Hung, and T. Nguyen Van, “Effects of Half-Face Helmets on Motorcyclist Head Injuries: A Finite Element Simulation Study with Experimental Validation”, IJASTECH, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 112–122, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.30939/ijastech..1831183.

ISNAD

Ho Trong, Du - Ly Hung, Anh - Nguyen Van, Trang. “Effects of Half-Face Helmets on Motorcyclist Head Injuries: A Finite Element Simulation Study With Experimental Validation”. International Journal of Automotive Science And Technology 10/1 (March 1, 2026): 112-122. https://doi.org/10.30939/ijastech. 1831183.

JAMA

1.Ho Trong D, Ly Hung A, Nguyen Van T. Effects of Half-Face Helmets on Motorcyclist Head Injuries: A Finite Element Simulation Study with Experimental Validation. IJASTECH. 2026;10:112–122.

MLA

Ho Trong, Du, et al. “Effects of Half-Face Helmets on Motorcyclist Head Injuries: A Finite Element Simulation Study With Experimental Validation”. International Journal of Automotive Science And Technology, vol. 10, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 112-2, doi:10.30939/ijastech. 1831183.

Vancouver

1.Du Ho Trong, Anh Ly Hung, Trang Nguyen Van. Effects of Half-Face Helmets on Motorcyclist Head Injuries: A Finite Element Simulation Study with Experimental Validation. IJASTECH. 2026 Mar. 1;10(1):112-2. doi:10.30939/ijastech. 1831183