Thermal Performance of Protective Headwear for Use in Competitive Cycling. (The Trek Project)
Faculty Mentor Name
Elliott Bryner
Format Preference
Poster
Abstract
Bicycle helmets often experience heat buildup due to limited ventilation and inefficient thermal dissipation, reducing user comfort during prolonged use. The Trek Project is an ongoing collaboration between Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students and Trek Bikes focused on modeling the thermal-ventilation behavior of the human head within a bicycle helmet. The objective of this work is to develop and refine a physical testing methodology for validating computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations used in helmet design.
A physical headform and helmet testing model was developed using thermistors embedded within custom fasteners, providing 128 temperature measurement locations through geometric symmetry. This system enables detailed characterization of heat transfer and airflow under controlled conditions. Experimental data are directly compared to CFD predictions and prior test runs to assess model accuracy, repeatability, and sources of discrepancy. Iterative refinements to both hardware and procedures are implemented to strengthen correlation between experimental and computational results. The resulting framework establishes a validated approach for evaluating helmet thermal performance and improving CFD-based ventilation models.
Thermal Performance of Protective Headwear for Use in Competitive Cycling. (The Trek Project)
Bicycle helmets often experience heat buildup due to limited ventilation and inefficient thermal dissipation, reducing user comfort during prolonged use. The Trek Project is an ongoing collaboration between Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students and Trek Bikes focused on modeling the thermal-ventilation behavior of the human head within a bicycle helmet. The objective of this work is to develop and refine a physical testing methodology for validating computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations used in helmet design.
A physical headform and helmet testing model was developed using thermistors embedded within custom fasteners, providing 128 temperature measurement locations through geometric symmetry. This system enables detailed characterization of heat transfer and airflow under controlled conditions. Experimental data are directly compared to CFD predictions and prior test runs to assess model accuracy, repeatability, and sources of discrepancy. Iterative refinements to both hardware and procedures are implemented to strengthen correlation between experimental and computational results. The resulting framework establishes a validated approach for evaluating helmet thermal performance and improving CFD-based ventilation models.