Evaluation of the mechanical properties and effectiveness of countermine boots
By: Richard C. Muschek
Contributors: Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School; Available from National Technical Information Service
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Monterey, Calif; Springfield, Va
Language: eng
Number of pages: 101
Description: The first goal of this project was to determine the mechanical properties of countermine 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.
Notes: "March 1998."

Thesis advisor(s): Young W. Kwon.

Thesis (M.S. in Mechanical Engineering) Naval Postgraduate School, March 1998.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 97-99)

Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

Also available online.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

System requirements: Adobe Acrobat reader.

US Army (USA) author.

dk/dk cc:9116 8/5/98.