Open Access

ARTICLE

Numerical Simulation and Ventilation Efficiency of Bicycle Helmets

by T.Z. Desta¹, G. De Bruyne¹, J.-M. Aerts¹, M. Baelmans², D. Berckmans¹

1 Measure, Model, and Manage Bio-responses (M3-BIORES), Catholic University of Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
2 Applied Mechanics and Energy Conversion Section,Catholic University of Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 300A, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium

Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences 2008, 31(2), 61-70. https://doi.org/10.3970/cmes.2008.031.061

Abstract

This paper demonstrates the use of the concept of the local mean age of air (LMAA) to quantify ventilation effectiveness under bicycle rider's safety helmets. The specific objective is to study the effect of helmet openings on the resulting ventilation effectiveness. To quantify ventilation effectiveness using the concept of LMAA, dynamic tracer gas data are necessary. The data were generated using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model. Two bicycle helmet designs were used and compared with respect to ventilation performance. The result showed that the helmet with more openings had better performance especially at the back of the head. The methodology has practical importance in order to integrate riders comfort criteria in the design of new helmets.

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Keywords

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