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Updated: May 20, 2026
07:30
A Test Bed to Examine Helmet Fit and Retention and Biomechanical Measures of Head and Neck Injury in Simulated Impact
Published on: September 21, 2017
Thoracic response to high-rate blunt impacts using an advanced testing platform.
Alexis C Wickwire1, Andrew C Merkle, Catherine M Carneal
1The John Hopkins University.
Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation
|August 1, 2012
Summary
A new Human Surrogate Torso Model (HSTM) effectively measures blunt trauma from ballistic impacts. This advanced model captures sternum displacement and internal pressure, improving body armor testing for law enforcement and military applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Injury Biomechanics
- Forensic Engineering
Background:
- Behind Armor Blunt Trauma (BABT) poses risks despite body armor.
- Current test platforms lack anatomical fidelity and dynamic energy transfer data.
- Evaluating PPE efficacy against BABT requires improved human surrogate models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and test a Human Surrogate Torso Model (HSTM) for BABT research.
- To capture dynamic biomechanical responses during blunt ballistic impacts.
- To provide a platform for evaluating thoracic injury metrics.
Main Methods:
- Developed HSTM using biosimulants for soft tissues and skeleton.
- Embedded pressure transducers and a sternum displacement sensor.
- Conducted non-penetrating ballistic tests with varying impact energy and location.
Main Results:
- Sternum displacement and internal pressure are sensitive to impact energy and location.
- HSTM data offers spatial and temporal insights, surpassing static clay measurements.
- Validated HSTM as a tool for assessing thoracic response to dynamic loading.
Conclusions:
- HSTM provides a biomechanically relevant platform for BABT research.
- The model aids in evaluating PPE effectiveness against non-penetrating ballistic impacts.
- Data generated can refine injury metrics like the Viscous Criterion for BABT.
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