Probability of Injury from Airblast Displacement as a Function of Yield and Range

Abstract : The purpose of this study was to predict the probability of impact injuries due to whole-body translation by airblast as a function of yield and ground range. Predictions were made for personnel in different orientations in open terrain and near structural complexes. A mathematical model was used to calculate the time-displacement history of personnel from considerations of aerodynamic drag and ground friction. Predicted values of maximum velocity, displacement at maximum velocity, and total displacement were tabulated for 1224 exposure conditions. Biological criteria were presented which indicated that personnel subjected to decelerative tumbling over open terrain can tolerate much higher velocities than personnel impacting a nonyielding, flat surface at normal incidence. Methods for extending the presented results to other exposure conditions were discussed.