RESEARCH ON THE TEST OF BEHIND ARMOR BLUNT TRAUMA BASED ON ARTIFICIAL THORAX

Abstract

Testing the blunt impact effects of projectiles behind body armor is an effective method for investigating the mechanisms of behind armor blunt trauma. In this paper, the PVDF pressure sensors were selected and installed within the various tissues and organs of the artificial thorax and the testing system was established by data acquisition device. The artificial thorax equipped with body armor was impacted by the 9mm caliber pistol projectile with an initial velocity of 360m/s and obtained the pressure values of tissues or organs from the embedded sensors inside the artificial thorax. Simultaneously compared the dynamic responses of the sternum, heart and lung inside the artificial thorax. The results showed that the pressure value on surface of the skin was the highest and averaging approximately 900kPa, followed by the sternum at an average of 600kPa, which indicating that the sternum withstood the stress caused by deformation and compression of skin. The internal organs were subjected to varying degrees stress of blunt trauma and the heart enduring relatively higher pressure. This study could reveal the mechanism of behind armor blunt trauma and provide guidance for improving the protective capabilities of body armor and the diagnosis and treatment of blunt trauma.