Investigating the impact behavior of wrestling mats via finite element simulation and falling weight impact tests

Abstract

In this paper, a novel approach is used to represent the viscoelastic behavior of cross-linked polyethylene foams at high strain rate: a compressible hyperelastic material model is combined with the Rayleigh damping method. We developed finite element models to simulate the impact tests described in the international assessment protocol of wrestling mats. The accuracy of the finite element analysis was validated with experimental data. We showed the nonlinear viscoelastic nature of the foam material by determining the relationship between the damping ratio and maximum compressive strain. We demonstrated the applicability of the method through the quality assessment of wrestling mats, and determined the minimum required thickness to prevent traumatic head injuries. The modeling and testing method can be implemented in the study of sandwich structures, thus the design process can be simplified. With further development, our approach can be used to design multilayered wrestling mats with better energy absorbing characteristics.

Keywords

• Polymer foams
• Constitutive modeling
• Impact test
• Wrestling
• Injury prevention
• Viscoelasticity