Evaluation of the Mechanical Properties and Effectiveness of Countermine Boots

摘要

The first goal of this project was to determine the mechanical properties ofcountermine boots and protective overboots that are currently available to U.S. soldiers. The second goal of this project was to conduct a qualitative analysis to determine the effectiveness of the boots. This was done by determining their ability to dissipate a blast force equivalent to a typical anti-personnel landmine. This was followed by a parametric study which involved altering the component materials in an effort to determine if the effectiveness of the boots varied as the materials changed. The soles of both boots were made from identical materials. All the materials used in the boots soles were tested to determine their mechanical material properties using an Instron uniaxial testing machine. All testing was conducted on multiple specimens to verify repeatability. The material data was tabulated and the stress-strain curves are included in this report. A finite element analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the countermine boot based upon accepted tolerance levels of the lower bones of the body. Next, the materials and their dimensions were modified in the finite element model to determine how these modifications would impact the boots' effectiveness.