Evaluation of Acceleration Response during AFRL +Gz Vertical Deceleration Tower Tests
Abstract
An analysis and comparison of impact acceleration responses in male and female pilot subjects is presented. This study is motivated by the increasing number of gender-related laboratory tests to determine if males and females respond differently to the high impact accelerations simulating in-flight ejection from military aircraft. Acceleration response data are analyzed and compared using vertical drop tower tests from Study No. 199906 conducted by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Acceleration time histories at the seat pan, Ti (1st thoracic vertebra), head and chest, were recorded for +Z axis impact accelerations of 6, 8 and 10 G's. The results demonstrate that males and females respond similarly to ejection-like impacts. The greatest percent difference in peak acceleration response between male and female subjects in the 10 0 test occurs in the chest at 9.2%, followed by the Ti and head at 8.1% and 4.8%, respectively. All differences have p-values of less than or equal 0.05. With uncertainty, however, the difference between male and female values might not exceed 4% at any location. Smaller differences between genders are found in the time-of-peak (less than or equal 2.5%). Minimal correlation is found between mass or sitting height with the magnitude of peak acceleration or time-of-peak. All correlations are r < 0.26. A stronger correlation of r= 0.84 is found between subject mass and sitting height for all subjects. This independent study of the AFRL data confirms many previous conclusions while establishing additional insights into this unique set of experimental data.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADP023052
Entities
People
- David B. Hamlin
- Randall D. Manteufel
Organizations
- University of Texas at San Antonio