Headform Kinematic Comparison Across Three Blunt Impact Testing Modes
Abstract
This report delineates and standardizes methods to impact an anthropomorphic test device (ATD) donning an Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) across three impact test machine configurations common to sport (monorail, basket drop, and pneumatic ram), and evaluates the linear and angular kinematic response during blunt impacts. Prior to impact testing at matched velocities, we developed drop tests to determine whether drop mass should be accounted for between configurations. Impact testing of a male 50 Hybrid III head with a 6 degree-of-freedom angular rate sensor package donning an ACH was completed at seven prescribed locations at impact velocities of 10, 14, and 17 ft/s (ram) and 10 and 14 ft/s (drop). Dependent variables included peak resultant linear acceleration (PLA), peak resultant angular acceleration (PAA), and peak resultant angular velocity of the ATD headform center of mass. Finite element (FE) simulations of the ram tests were conducted post-hoc. Differences in drop mass alone did not result in meaningful differences in PLA, but adjusting impact velocity to account for mass differences did. In contrast, matching drop impact velocity produced the most similar PLAs between ATDs of different masses. Across configurations, the ram produced the lowest PLAs and PAAs, whereas the monorail typically resulted in the greatest PAA values. These results are partially explained by a set of simplified equations and confirmed through FE simulations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1154202
Entities
People
- Elizabeth D. Edwards
- Mark Jesunathadas
- Michael Kleinberger
- Ryan J. Neice
- Scott G. Piland
- Thomas A. Plaisted
- Tiffany Landry
- Trenton E. Gould
Organizations
- United States Army Research Laboratory