Guidelines for conducting epidemiological studies of blast injury

Blast injuries are often caused by more than one mechanism, do not occur in isolation, and typically elicit a secondary multi-system response. Research efforts often do not separate blast injuries caused by blast waves from those caused by blunt force trauma and other mechanisms. 15 experts from nine different NATO nations developed in the HFM...

Guidelines for using animal models in blast injury research

Blast injury is a very complex phenomenon and frequently results in multiple injuries. One method to investigate the consequences of blast injuries is with the use of living systems (animal models). The use of animals allows the examination and evaluation of injury mechanisms in a more controlled manner, allowing variables such as primary or...

Guidelines for reproducing blast exposures in the laboratory

Discussions at a NATO Health Factors and Medicine Symposium 207 (HFM-SYM-207) revealed the importance of a systematic approach to understanding blast injuries much like the well-established approach used to solve the classical toxicology problem where the aetiology of the injury requires an understanding of the dose, mechanism of delivery of the...

Environmental toxicology of blast exposures: injury metrics, modelling, methods and standards

A new standard for predicting lung injury inflicted by Friedlander blast waves

An important blast injury mechanism is the rupture of the lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. In explosives safety studies and threat analysis the empirical model of Bowen is often used to quantify this mechanism. The original model predicts the lethality for a person in front of a reflecting surface caused by simple Friedlander blast waves....

Blast wave injury prediction models for complex scenarios

Blast waves from explosions can cause lethal injuries to humans. Development of injury criteria has been ongoing for many years, but with the main focus on free field conditions. However, with terrorist actions as a new threat, explosions in urban areas have become of much more interest. Urban areas provide a complex environment for blast wave...

Single point methods for determining blast wave injury

Models for calculating human injury from a blast wave are examined. The Axelsson BTD model is able to give injury estimates also for complex shock waves, but is difficult to use in practise since it requires input from four pressure sensors on a BTD (Blast Test Device) in the specific location. To find the injury in other places, a new...

A single point of pressure approach as input for injury models with respect to complex blast loading conditions

Blast injury models, like Axelsson and Stuhmiller, require four pressure signals as input. Those pressure signals must be acquired by a Blast Test Device (BTD) that has four pressure transducers placed in a horizontal plane at intervals of 90 degrees. This can be either in a physical test setup or in a numerical environment. However, using a BTD...