Mitigation of biodynamic response to vibratory and blast-induced shock loads using magnetorheological seat suspensions

Abstract

The mitigation of biodynamic response to vibratory and blast-induced shock loads using a magnetorheological (MR) seat suspension is addressed in this study. To this end, an MR seat suspension model for military vehicles including seated personnel is constructed in terms of a detailed lumped parameter model. The lumped parameter model of the human body consists of four parts: pelvis, upper torso, viscera, and head. From the model, the governing equation of motion of the MR seat suspension considering the human body is derived. Based on this equation, a semi-active nonlinear optimal control algorithm appropriate for the MR seat suspension is developed. The simulated control performance of the MR seat suspension is evaluated under three different excitations of sinusoidal and random vibration and tremendous shock load due to a mine explosion. In addition, the mitigation of injuries to humans due to such a shock load is evaluated and compared with a passive hydraulic seat suspension and a passive MR seat suspension with a constant yield force.