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Numerical Study of Human Torso Mechanical Response and Injury Assessment Under Blast Loading with Bulletproof
Hong Zhang1,2, Jiahao Lee1,2, Mengqi Yuan1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Explosion Science and Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
|July 2, 2026
Summary
Bulletproof vests alter blast injury biomechanics, reducing internal organ stress but potentially increasing skin injury risk. New injury thresholds for protected torsos are proposed, requiring further validation.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Trauma research
- Protective equipment efficacy
Background:
- Explosion injuries are a significant threat in modern warfare.
- Existing research on blast injuries often lacks accurate simulation and protection analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the biomechanical response of the human torso to blast loading.
- To establish injury thresholds for the human torso with and without protective gear.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the THUMS (Total Human Model for Protection) to create a coupled human-bulletproof air model.
- Analyzed stress distribution and kinematic parameters of key organs to assess protective effects.
Main Results:
- Bulletproof protection alters torso surface stress, potentially increasing skin injury risk.
- Internal organ stress is reduced by protection, but skeletal impact is limited.
- A linear relationship between chest wall velocity and lung stress was identified, proposing a new velocity threshold for protected cases.
Conclusions:
- Bulletproof protection significantly modifies biomechanical responses to blast.
- Findings can inform injury criteria refinement, medical treatment, and protective equipment design.
