Characterizing Center of Mass and Moment of Inertia of Soldiers' Loads Packed for Combat
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to characterize loads packed by Soldiers preparing for deployment and to determine the degree to which center of mass (COM) location and moment of inertia (MOI) may be influenced in combat load packing. In addition, the physical properties of the combat loads were compared to the properties of a laboratory fabricated backpack. Field measurements of mass, COM, and MOI were made on All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) rucksacks for 50 Soldiers (11 from an Airborne Division, and 39 from a Light Infantry Division). Results indicated that previous laboratory measurements did not capture the full range of COM and MOI values represented among Soldier-packed combat loads. The COMs of the combat loads are located further away from the Soldier's back relative to a fabricated backpack used in the laboratory to study physical properties of loads. The range of the MOIs of the combat loads (Airborne: 0.302 kg*sq m - 1.979 kg*sq m; Light Infantry: 0.143 kg*sq m - 1.811 kg*sq m) was larger than the fabricated backpack (0.431 kg*sq m - 0.882 kg*sq m). This study was an initial step in characterizing Soldiers' combat loads. Measurement of the physical properties of the Modular Lightweight Load-bearing Equipment (MOLLE) are further needed to further characterize Soldiers' combat loads. Soldiers are required to perform many actions that involve linear and angular accelerations while carrying backpack loads. Optimizing load carriage will improve the efficiency of overground movements of Soldiers carrying loads and the fitness to fight of dismounted troops, thereby positively impacting the Future Force Warrior's ability to be responsive, agile, versatile, lethal, survivable, and easily sustainable.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA433425
Entities
People
- Carolyn K. Bensel
- Jeffrey M. Schiffman
- Karen Norton
- Leif Hasselquist
- Louis Piscitelle
Organizations
- United States Army Soldier Systems Center