Integrated Warfighter-Centric Simulation Tools for Protective Equipment Design

The overall objective of this work is to develop and integrate comprehensive modeling tools for virtual warfighters and personal protective equipment (PPE) to improve PPE designs. The integrated tools enable assessment of the impact of PPE on the mobility and survivability of warfighters. The focus of the Phase I work is to (a) develop various modeling components including anthropometry models, whole-body dynamics models, and armor-coupled finite element models of human torso, and (b) demonstrate the feasibility of integrating these components into a single software suite. The core capabilities of this integrated software are simulations of warfighter motions with PPE load and prediction of behind armor injury risk under ballistic, blunt and blast impacts. With these capabilities, the fit, form, and function of the PPE can be assessed. In Phase II, various modeling components will be further developed and integrated in one software framework. The software will provide an easy-to-use graphical interface for users to conduct both motion and impact analyses for improved PPE designs with better protection efficacy but less mobility restriction. The models and software will be validated with published literature data and experiments conducted during this project.