Improved Fit and Performance of Female Bulletproof Vests

Toma, Doina; Niculescu, Claudia; Săliștean, Adrian; Luca, Dan; Popescu, Gheorghe H.; Popescu, Alina; Lăzăroaie, Claudiu; Său, Ciprian; Istrate, Marcel

doi:10.24264/icams-2016.iii.18

Cited by 11 publications

(8 citation statements)

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“…Previous research has revealed that most female soldiers are dissatisfied with the fit of their current body armour systems (Epstein et al, 2013 ; Toma et al, 2016 ; Coltman et al, 2020 , 2021a ; Davis et al, 2020 ). Specifically, questionnaire data related to the fit of body armour was completed by 147 female Australian Defence Force (ADF) soldiers in both combat and non-combat roles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Torso and Breast Characteristics on the Perceived Fit of Body Armour Systems Among Female Soldiers: Implications for Body Armour Sizing and Design

Coltman

Brisbine

Molloy

et al. 2022

Front. Sports Act. Living

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This study aimed to provide normative data characterising the torsos and breasts of female soldiers and to determine which torso and breast anthropometric measurements contributed to reports of poor body armour fit. Ninety-seven female Australian Army soldiers completed a questionnaire about their experience with current-issue body armour, including perceptions of fit. Participants also attended a single testing session where we took a three-dimensional scan of their breasts and torso and collected several anthropometric measurements to characterise their torso size and shape. Sixteen of the 22 breast and torso measurements collected were significantly related to the perceived fit of current-issue body armour systems. To improve perceptions of fit for female soldiers and, in turn, reduce movement interference, discomfort, and barriers to occupational performance, future body armour systems should cater to the wide range of female breast and torso shapes and sizes.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Torso and Breast Characteristics on the Perceived Fit of Body Armour Systems Among Female Soldiers: Implications for Body Armour Sizing and Design

Coltman

Brisbine

Molloy

et al. 2022

Front. Sports Act. Living

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“…The area covered by a bulletproof vest is the range in which the body can be protected. However, the unfit bulletproof vest impacts the fit of the clothing and the mobility of the user (L az aroaie et al, 2017;Sabol et al, 2014;Toma et al, 2016). The right clothing and equipment are of vital importance to the survival and effectiveness of military personnel (D aboliņa et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the average body size, weight, fat and muscle composition of men and women are different. To develop a fit bulletproof vest for women becomes a task in itself (Toma et al, 2016). Since Bulletproof vests for Taiwanese soldiers…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The 3D scan is now more commonly used to conduct detailed anthropometric surveys of military personnel in many countries to obtain more precise and detailed dimensions or measurements of the human body. Countries having used the 3D scan in military uniforms are as follows: Taiwan (Shih et al, 2014), America (Gordon et al, 2014), UK (Breeze et al, 2016a, b;Tyrrell, 2007), Canada (Shu et al, 2015), China (Wang et al, 2018), India (Vaidya et al, 2009), Koren (Lee et al, 2013), Romania (L az aroaie et al, 2017Toma et al, 2016), Latvia (D aboliņa et al, 2017, etc. These related studies provide a benchmark for comparison of human body measurement data in different countries; some of these studies are also used as reference data for the design of clothing, masks, etc.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Designing new sizing bulletproof vests for Taiwanese soldiers

Wen

Shih

2020

IJCST

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PurposeCombining the collected human body variables by a 3D body scanner and the research results of medical computed tomography (CT) imaging, this research aims to develop a military bulletproof vest that is both protective and fit. In particular, the protective part must be able to cover the vital human internal organs completely. The results of this research help to make military bulletproof vests of different sizes for Taiwanese male and female soldiers. At the same time, the research results can provide a reference for the industry of making special-purpose clothing.Design/methodology/approach17 important human body variables of 988 participants (male: 716, 72.5%; female 272, 27.5%) are used for the analysis. The K-means algorithm firstly builds clusters of different body shapes for both sexes; the silhouette coefficient helps to determine the optimal number of clusters to be six. Thus, the standard size of the bulletproof vest for soldiers is determined. The specifications of the bulletproof vest's inner core and textile vest are calculated for each cluster user. Our research then makes twelve prototypes of the bulletproof vest. After that, 12 subjects are invited to try on the new version (the vest designed in this study) and the old version (the vest currently used) to contrast the differences between the two.FindingsAccording to the index of the silhouette coefficient, the optimal number of clusters is determined to be six for both male and female clusters. Therefore, this study has designed six sizes of the bulletproof vest for male and female soldiers in Taiwan. After trying the new and old vests on, the subjects all indicate that the new vest fits better than the old one. In addition, the coverage of the bulletproof vest designed in this study is 94.38% for male users and 92.75% for female users.Originality/valueThe design of bulletproof vests must take note of the fit of the clothing itself and its protective function. Apart from the size design of general clothing only focusing on the human shape exteriorly, the bulletproof vest also needs to pay attention to the relative positions of vital organs inside the human body. Besides, for practical applications, it is quite effective to use the silhouette coefficient to determine the results of cluster analysis. Thus, the value of this research lies in the cross-field combination, enabling the integration of body measurement, data science and clothing design. Generally, bulletproof vests of newly designed sizes can meet the requirements of Taiwan's military. The research results can be used in the development of various military clothing for Taiwanese military personnel. At the same time, the results can be provided to the clothing industry as relevant parameters for designing unique functional clothing.

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“…Boussu and Bruniaux (2012) claimed that the shape of the ballistic vest should resemble the shape of the body for effective body protection, and actually designed and manufactured a 3D bulletproof vest. Toma et al (2016) tried to make a bulletproof vest considering Romanian women's body shape and breast cup size. Abtew et al (2018) produced a soft body armor that takes into account of the female body shape using 3D virtual avatar and dome formation process.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of bulletproof pad design system using 3D body scan data

Kang

Kim

2019

IJCST

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a system to design a bulletproof pad for chest protection using three-dimensional body scan data. Design/methodology/approach Body data were divided into arbitrary number of groups based on the standard normal distribution theory, considering the width and height of the upper body. Several parameters were used to define the cover area of the bulletproof pad, and the shape of this area of each model in a group was averaged to generate the standard bulletproof pad model for that group. Findings It is possible to use three-dimensional body scan data in the design process of a mass-customized bulletproof pad for chest protection. Practical implications It is expected that it would be possible to design not only bulletproof pad but also many kinds of body-related products that need to reflect the shape of body using the methodology developed in this study. Social implications Using this system, the mass customization of special garments and equipment would be possible, which will improve the wearers’ comfort and work efficiency. Originality/value Three-dimensional body measurement, parametric definition of cover area and user interface for shape modification developed in this study will facilitate the consumer-oriented product design.

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Improved Fit and Performance of Female Bulletproof Vests

Cited by 11 publications

References 0 publications

Effect of Torso and Breast Characteristics on the Perceived Fit of Body Armour Systems Among Female Soldiers: Implications for Body Armour Sizing and Design

Effect of Torso and Breast Characteristics on the Perceived Fit of Body Armour Systems Among Female Soldiers: Implications for Body Armour Sizing and Design

Designing new sizing bulletproof vests for Taiwanese soldiers

Development of bulletproof pad design system using 3D body scan data

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