The current research studied the idea of introducing energy-absorbing polymers – specifically high-density viscoelastic polyurethanes – to reduce the blunt trauma from residual impact energy. This work investigated the material properties of viscoelastic polyurethane foams and the efficacy of the addition of an energy absorbing material to protective garments for reducing blunt trauma under low-velocity impact. The research also provided a methodology for testing composite plates backed by soft materials during low-velocity impact tests. The thickness of the backing material was proven the most influential factor in energy absorption during impact. Finally, using optimization tools, a suggested thickness and bonding condition was given for the implementation of viscoelastic foam in protective garments. / A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Industrial Engineering in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science. / Spring Semester, 2008. / November 21, 2007. / Polyurethane Foam, Impact, Blunt Trauma, Composite / Includes bibliographical references. / Okenwa O. I. Okoli, Professor Directing Thesis; Samuel Awoniyi, Committee Member; James Simpson, Committee Member; Ben Wang, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_176317 |
| Contributors | Schober, María Isabel Roquer (authoraut), Okoli, Okenwa O. I. (professor directing thesis), Awoniyi, Samuel (committee member), Simpson, James (committee member), Wang, Ben (committee member), Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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