Effects of Body Armor Fit on Area of 3D Surface Coverage

Abstract

Forty male test participants (active duty military personnel) were 3D whole body scanned in all test configurations; Semi-nude and all tested body armor sizes (Initial, Decreased, Increased and Longer). The area of surface coverage (AoSC) was computed in absolute values (in2 and cm2) and converted to relative AoSC values in percentages. As the fit of the body armor system changed from Increased to Decreased, so did the AoSC and mobility degradation. Within the same size of body armor, however, mobility degradation was not associated with the absolute value of AoSC, but with the relative AoSC. Because AoSC is heavily dependent upon the volumetric characteristics of the wearer, absolute values of AoSC alone do not convey the accurate level of protection, proportional to wearers’ overall body size and shape. For a requirements document, AoSC should be developed per body armor size or represented as percent values.