Experimental investigation of a viscoelastic liner to reduce under helmet overpressures and shock wave reflections.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Shock wave overpressure exposures can result in blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) in warfighters. Although combat helmets provide protection against blunt impacts, the protection against blast waves is limited due to the observed high overpressures occurring underneath the helmet. One route to enhance these helmets is by incorporating viscoelastic materials into the helmet designs, reducing pressures imposed on the head. This study aims to further investigate this mitigation technique against under-helmet overpressures by adding a viscoelastic liner to the inside of a combat helmet.

Methods

The liner's effectiveness was evaluated by exposing it to free-field blasts of Composition C-4 at overpressures ranging from 27.5 to 165 kPa (4 - 24 psi) and compar

SUBMITTER: Thomas CJH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11392881 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature