Biological Parameters of Impact
Abstract
Investigation of the biological effects of abrupt acceleration (impact) was stimulated by the advent of technical advances in aerospace flight such as high performance aircraft, ejection seats and, later, manned rockets. Anticipated exposure to abrupt dynamic forces by aviation and space flight crew members necessitated the establishment of useful tolerance criteria as a means of predicting survival in the impact environment. Efforts directed toward this goal used two complementary approaches. i.e., the development of criteria based on the mechanical characteristics and response of the body to impact, and the biological response to impact evaluated in terms of clinical and physiological observations. A wealth of data pertaining to the injurious effects of abrupt acceleration is available from automotive and aircraft accidents. However, these data are of limited value in assessing limits of tolerance as concerns the operational situation. Analysis of accidental impact injury data is of greater benefit in arriving at an all-or-none criterion, i.e., survival vs non-survival. In the operational environment of impact, one is vitally interested in that grey zone between no effect and gross Injury or death. For example, the pilot who survives an aircraft crash, but who is injured or unconscious so that he cannot protect himself from secondary environmental conditions such as fire, would not consider survival a suitable tolerance limit for the impact.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- ADA457580
Entities
People
- R. F. Chandler
- W. K. Brown