Development of a Lumped-Parameter Occupant Injury Assessment Model for Vehicular Blast Effects Simulation

In this study, a lumped-parameter human body including lower leg in seated posture with a quarter-car model was developed for blast injury assessment simulation. To simulate the shock acceleration of the vehicle, mine blast analysis was conducted on a generic land vehicle crew compartment (sand box) structure. For the purpose of simulating human body dynamics, a physical model of lumped-parameter human body with a quarter car model was developed and implemented in multi-body dynamic simulation software. The injury criteria and tolerance levels for the biomechanical effects are discussed for each of the identified vulnerable body regions, such as the lower leg, the spine, and the neck. Passive seat and footrest damper devices were analytically evaluated to investigate their effectiveness for a seated occupant in a vehicle environment during a blast event. The seat damper has significant influence on the neck and the spine injury assessment values; however has less influence on the lower leg injury assessment value. For protecting the lower leg from injury, a separated footrest with a passive spring-damper system was more effective than the seat damper.