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Acceleration-based methodology to assess the blast mitigation performance of explosive ordnance disposal helmets

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Abstract

To design the next generation of blast mitigation helmets that offer increasing levels of protection against explosive devices, manufacturers must be able to rely on appropriate test methodologies and human surrogates that will differentiate the performance level of various helmet solutions and ensure user safety. Ideally, such test methodologies and associated injury thresholds should be based on widely accepted injury criteria relevant within the context of blast. Unfortunately, even though significant research has taken place over the last decade in the area of blast neurotrauma, there currently exists no agreement in terms of injury mechanisms for blast-induced traumatic brain injury. In absence of such widely accepted test methods and injury criteria, the current study presents a specific blast test methodology focusing on explosive ordnance disposal protective equipment, involving the readily available Hybrid III mannequin, initially developed for the automotive industry. The unlikely applicability of the associated brain injury criteria (based on both linear and rotational head acceleration) is discussed in the context of blast. Test results encompassing a large number of blast configurations and personal protective equipment are presented, emphasizing the possibility to develop useful correlations between blast parameters, such as the scaled distance, and mannequin engineering measurements (head acceleration). Suggestions are put forward for a practical standardized blast testing methodology taking into account limitations in the applicability of acceleration-based injury criteria as well as the inherent variability in blast testing results.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the hard work of their former and current colleagues Doug Bueley, Clint Hedge, Matthew Keown, Robert Beland, Scott Thiel, Julia White, Mark Smith, Ewan Smith, and Terry Rohachuk. The authors also like to thank the support and technical staffs at DRDC Suffield, DRDC Valcartier, CERL, CFB Petawawa, NSWC Indian Head, and the MREL Group of Companies.

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  1. Med-Eng, 2400 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, ON, K1G 6C4, Canada

    J. P. Dionne, J. Levine & A. Makris

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  1. J. P. Dionne
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  2. J. Levine
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  3. A. Makris
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Correspondence to J. P. Dionne.

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Communicated by O. Petel and S. Ouellet.

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Dionne, J.P., Levine, J. & Makris, A. Acceleration-based methodology to assess the blast mitigation performance of explosive ordnance disposal helmets. Shock Waves 28, 5–18 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00193-017-0737-5

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