Quantification of Behind Shield Blunt Impacts Using a Modified Upper Extremity Anthropomorphic Test Device

Ballistic shields are used by military and police members in dangerous situations to protect the user against threats such as gunfire. When struck, the shield material deforms to absorb the incoming kinetic energy of the projectile. If the rapid back-face deformation contacts the arm, it can potentially impart a large force, leading to injury risk, termed behind armor blunt trauma (BABT). This work characterized the loading profiles due to the contact between the deforming back-face of the shield and the arm using a modified upper extremity anthropomorphic test device (ATD). This ATD measured forces at the hand, wrist, forearm, and elbow to compare the locational effects of the force transfer for future investigations of fracture risk. Two composite ballistic shields, both with the same ballistic protection rating, were investigated and had statistically different responses to the same impact conditions, indicating a further need for shield safety evaluation. Additionally, ballistic force curves were compared among stand-off distances, defined as the distance between the back-face of the shield and the front of the force sensor, where the peak impact force significantly decreased with increased stand-off. This study presents the first highly instrumented ATD upper limb capable of evaluating BABT and characterization of these loading profiles. This work demonstrates the importance of realistic boundary conditions as loading varies by anatomical location. Stand-off distance is an effective method to reduce loading and should be considered in future shield design iterations and standards that are developed using this device.