Validation of the Load Carriage Simulator, Research and Development of an Advanced Personal Load Carriage System, Phase 1: PDF Download

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Languages : en
Pages : 53

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A comprehensive measurement system for load carriage evaluation has been developed consisting of human input with respect to comfort, features, & fit, as well as a standardized measurement system using a computer-controlled load carriage (LC) simulator. The purpose of the study described in this report was to validate the measurement systems used in the LC simulator under both static & dynamic conditions, and to conduct a sensitivity analysis of the biomechanical model used to evaluate shoulder & lumbar forces. To accomplish the first objective, independent measurement strategies were formed for each of the simulator output measures. Results are presented from the static & dynamic test measurements from the LC simulator's strap force transducers, pressure sensing system, and pack displacement sensors. For the second objective, a standardized jig for shoulder strap testing was developed where strap forces, pressures, shoulder geometry, and pack conditions could be evaluated independently. Results are presented from shoulder/strap friction calculations using two methods. The appendix contains a copy of the LC simulator test protocols.

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Languages : en
Pages : 23

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This summary provides an overall perspective of progress throughout all contracts within two Canadian Forces soldier modernization programs: the Integrative Protective Clothing & Equipment (IPCE) project and the Clothe the Soldier (CTS) Project. Each of these projects is described briefly and relevant outcomes are identified. The first three phases concerned a contract on the research & development of an Advanced Personal Load Carriage Measurement System. Work carried out included a literature review, development of load carriage measurement systems, design & validation of a load carriage simulator, evaluation of pack-based load carriage systems & sub-systems, and development of test protocols. The objective of phase IV, the IPCE project, was to improve measurement components and to develop a further understanding of specific factors that affect load carriage ability. Topics covered in this phase include development of a biomechanical model for load carriage assessment, parametric analysis of advanced load carriage systems, and analysis of human responses to load location in a backpack.

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Languages : en
Pages : 30

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The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of varying the centre of gravity of the load on physiological, biomechanical, & subjective factors of experienced soldiers. A secondary purpose was to examine the relationship of these factors to a standardized load carriage simulator test. In the study, 22 soldiers marched on a treadmill for 15 minutes carrying a modified backpack consisting of a pack frame & a movable load box containing 36 kilograms. In addition, a load carriage vest was used to examine a balanced load distribution. Results are presented with regard to: physiological measures collected using oxygen consumption & heart rate; biomechanical measures collected from video images of gait to calculate trunk & body lean; subjective measures of pressure points using a body scan image; and general assessments of each system & overall ranking.

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Languages : en
Pages : 36

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Book Description
The purpose of this study was to develop a personal load carriage system design tool that should enable designers to input pack parameters and receive an objective measure of the pack's effectiveness. Pack parameters of interest include dimensions, weight, centre of gravity, and location of shoulder straps, waist belt, & lumbar pad. The objective evaluation consists of two body reaction forces known to relate to pack acceptability scores. Knowledge of the body reaction forces then aids in understanding of comfort and can enable comparison of potential prototypes. The study developed a statically determinate model of the pack/person interface to include the design parameters of interest and the evaluated body reaction forces. To validate the effectiveness of the design tool, six packs were tested on an instrumented human-form jig. Results show the capability of the design tool to predict outputs close to measured values. Limitations of the developed tool are discussed.

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Languages : en
Pages : 34

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This report represents the User's Manual for the 3D dynamic load carriage simulator and automated test cell. Contained within this report are the hardware and software components in addition to instructions for users to run the system. If the system is ever moved to a new location, this manual must be taken with it for set-up and data acquisition. The changes to the automated programmable motion control system have created a number of functions not possible with the previous system. These functions include: (1) highly repeatable motion profiles independent of the operator: (2) determination of the system stiffness under dynamic conditions: (3) provision for quantitative validation of models of load carriage devices: (4) determination of the frequency response of LC suspension systems and (5) creation of an automated test cell requiring minimal operator expertise and low cost for possible sale to support other countries modelling efforts.

Author: J. T. Bryant
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ISBN:
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Languages : en
Pages : 12

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Book Description
Standardized objective measurements for the evaluation of load carriage include the development of a load carriage simulator, a stiffness tester, and a suspension system characteristics tester. In addition, human-based methods have been developed by which the performance of load carriage systems undergoing evaluation in standardized military activities can be assessed. The purpose of this paper is to summarize three studies that examine the correlation between these objective and human-based measures. In the first study, face validation was undertaken by comparing the outcome of measurements made in pack- based systems using a simple biomechanical model. In the second study, a direct comparison of objective measures to human based measures in a cohort of military volunteers was undertaken. In a final study, a ranking method was explored as a way of characterizing military load carriage systems.

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Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 48

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The objective of this study was to conduct a standardized assessment of the Clothe the Solder (CTS) integrated load carriage system (LCS) pack, final design, on a computerized load carriage simulator. Specifically, the simulator measured variables which assess the load control & load transfer capability of the CTS integrated LCS pack. These aspects of pack design consisted of several displacement, force, moment, & pressure variables that had been validated on previously tested systems where simulator outputs were compared to assessments by experienced users during human trials. The CTS final design pack was evaluated without the CTS tactical assault vest. The simulator consisted of interchangeable anthropometrically weighted manikins covered with a skin-like surface, driven by computer controlled pneumatic activators programmed to elicit a walking displacement pattern. A trial consisted of measuring inertial properties & dimensions, loading the pack with a 25 kilo payload, mounting the pack, and balancing the moments. Five intervals of 10 seconds of data were recorded over a 1200 second period. By this approach, the pack was assessed on the initial setup and after a sustained period of walking. A pack stiffness jig was used to examine the resistance of the pack frame to motions in three planes. The CTS rucksack performance was compared to previously validated variables for load control & load balance from the simulator.

Author: North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Research and Technology Organization. Human Factors and Medicine Panel. Specialists' Meeting
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789283710622
Category : Armed Forces
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Many NATO nations have soldier modernization programmes that aim to equip soldiers with fully-integrated state-of-the-art technologies that will enhance the five NATO soldier capability areas: lethality, protection, mobility, sustainability, and command and control. Military load carriage systems (LCS), which include clothing and personal areas. In particular, LCS are critical to soldier mobility and sustainability, and ultimately, to soldier performance and survival on the battlefield.

Author: L. L. Bossi
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Languages : en
Pages : 18

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Book Description
The proper design of personal load carriage systems may be critical not only for soldier comfort, but also for soldier mobility and performance on the battlefield. Evaluation of soldier personal load carriage systems typically involves the conduct of human-based lab and field trials that can be both time-consuming and costly to conduct. Field testing usually requires multiple system prototypes of a given design iteration, with their development cost often limiting the number of design iterations tested. Human-based trials also rely on subjective opinion for system assessment. While the opinions of the ultimate users have face validity, and bias and error can be controlled in such trials, it is also desirable to have objective load carriage assessment methods and analysis tools that permit rapid analysis, design iteration and evaluation. Canada has developed biomechanical assessment and analytical tools to supplement human-based load carriage system assessment methods. This suite of tools permits efficient objective evaluation of important biomechanical aspects of load-bearing webbing, vests, packs and their components, thus contributing to early system assessment and a rapid iterative design process. This paper will introduce each of the assessment and analytical tools, their rationale, the objective measures available and the recommended performance criteria for acceptable military load carriage systems. Separate papers in these proceedings will provide the details of validation and utility of the tools that have been developed by Canada.

Author: Joan M. Stevenson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 12

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Book Description
The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of contributions by biomechanical testing to the design of the final Canadian Clothe the Soldier (CTS) load carriage (LC) system. The Load Carriage Simulator and Compliance tester were used during design of the CTS system for evaluation of: three fragmentation vests seven Tactical Vests and three iterations of the rucksack. Test data were compared to a data pool of previously tested systems. Results indicated that the objective measures helped the design team by: (1) understanding the consequences of various design changes; (2) predicting soldiers' responses to design changes in pressure, force and relative motion; (3) comparting this system objectively to other systems; and (4) providing information quickly so that ideas could be incorporated into the next design iteration. It was concluded that objective assessments added valuable information not easily interpreted from human trials. However, objective assessments cannot replace human trials for feedback on functionality and features.