Mitigation of Frame Acceleration Induced by a Buried Charge

Abstract

In this thesis, methods to mitigate acceleration delivered to the frame of a vehicle with an attached v-shaped hull are investigated. The frame of a vehicle represents an alternative location for crew seating, as opposed to seats being secured to the floorboard. Mitigation techniques were investigated for three test setups: aluminum frame with a downwardly convex aluminum hull, steel frame with a downwardly convex steel hull, and a steel frame with a downwardly concave steel hull. Accelerations of the frame were measured using piezoelectric accelerometers placed at three different locations on the frame. These acceleration measurements were verified against video recorded by high speed cameras. Each test was intended to reduce peak accelerations experienced by the frame, and to reduce the width of the acceleration envelope at large g levels. Mitigation techniques focused on reducing the initial hull-frame interactions, while damping subsequent responses of the system. Mitigation systems and hull orientation were compared for their ability to reduce blast effects experienced by the frame.