Impact protection efficacy of pediatric helmets: a finite element analysis based on safety standards

Children are more vulnerable to head injuries during sports due to their proportionally larger heads, thinner skulls, and developing motor skills. This study uses digital twin technology to optimize children's helmet design for better protection and comfort while meeting national safety standards. Following Chinese standards GB 24429-2009 and GB/T 42801-2023, researchers created a digital finite element model of children's helmets. Impact simulations was conducted using two software platforms—Ansys Explicit Dynamics and LS-DYNA—to analyze how helmets respond to collisions. The study compared different structural designs and materials by examining their dynamic responses, energy absorption, and deceleration patterns. Results demonstrate that helmet structure and materials significantly affect impact protection. LSDYNA, combined with digital twin modeling, more accurately simulated the complex energy transfer during impacts, producing head acceleration and deformation results within safety limits. The optimized design achieved both lightweight construction and enhanced protection. This research shows that digital twin technology and computer simulations can effectively evaluate and improve helmet performance, establishing a foundation for intelligent, standardized, and personalized children’s helmet design.