Clothe the Soldier Prototype K1 Load Carriage System Design Assessment using the APLCS Load Carriage Simulator
Abstract
The objective of this study was to conduct a standardized assessment of the Clothe the Soldier (CTS) Prototype K1 pack on a computerized Load Carriage (LC) Simulator to assess the load control and load transfer capability of the CTS K1 Pack. These aspects of pack design were comprised of displacement, force, moment and pressure variables that had been validated on previously tested systems where LC Simulator outputs were compared to assessments by experienced users during human trials. A trial consisted of measuring inertial properties and dimensions, loading the pack with a 25 kg payload, and mounting the pack and balancing the moments. Output variables were: three dimensional motions of the pack's center of gravity relative to the person's motion; forces and moments from a 6 degree of freedom load cell at the level of the hips; and average and peak skin pressures and skin forces over the anterior and posterior shoulders, and upper and lower back. To examine the resistance of the pack frame to torso motions in three planes, a pack LC stiffness compliance tester was developed. For load control, the CTS pack K1 ranked as superior in side to side, up and down and resultant (r) relative pack person motions. All other load control variables were not significantly different from other systems. For load transfer, the CTS K1 pack was inferior for dampening average forces in the vertical direction (z). The CTS Prototype Pack K1 showed typical stiffness characteristics in torsion and in lateral bending. It also demonstrated superior forward flexion stiffness which is correlated to good combined functional ratings where large movements are required, reduced posterior neck discomfort and reduced lower back discomfort.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA477203
Entities
People
- J. Doan
- J. Tim Bryant
- Joan M. Stevenson
- Susan A. Reid
- W. A. Rigby
Organizations
- Queen's University