Numerical simulation and experimental validation of human head thermoregulation under motorbike helmet

Headgear including helmets are essential and law-enforced in many countries. However, one of the most main reasons drivers give for not wearing helmets is the discomfort and excessive heat that helmets create. More comfortable helmets can potentially increase helmet use among population, thus play a major role in people safety. In this study, a thermoregulation model of the human helmeted head was created using Finite Element Analysis (FEM) and based on an anatomically correct medical image-based CT-scan model. The model investigated three cases with different wind speeds namely; 1km/h, 20km/h, and 50km/h. In addition, the combined FEM Head-helmet model results is verified by an experimental trail. The compared results shown the ability of the model to predict the head temperature profile and results were in good agreement with experiment. The established model is to predict the thermal distribution of the head parts under helmet conditions. Results reflect the thermoregulatory responses of the rider parts, thus providing grounds for suggestions and recommendations for the helmet design and processing.