Virginia Tech
Development of a Lung Surrogate Model for Assessing Biomechanical Responses to Underwater Explosions (UNDEX)
Abstract
dc:description.abstractUnderwater explosions (UNDEX) generate high-energy shock waves that pose significant risks to military personnel during training exercises and combat scenarios. The primary objective of this research is to develop a surrogate modeling framework using engineering materials to investigate the biomechanical response of lung tissue during UNDEX events. A representative lung surrogate was designed to mimic the mechanical behavior of human lungs, utilizing thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and polyurethane foam to replicate the elastic and porous nature of lung tissue and alveolar sacs. Material characterization tests were conducted to simulate quasi-static deformation through uniaxial tensile tests and dynamic loading conditions using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The viscoelastic response of the surrogate material across a wide range of temperatures and frequencies is presented. A series of UNDEX experimental tests were conducted on the surrogates using the Virginia Tech Shockwave Generator (SWG), with targeted overpressures ranging from 10 to 20 psi. The surrogates were instrumented with sensors to record changes in principal strains and internal pressures. The results were analyzed to evaluate strain and pressure trends, impulse, and potential injury mechanisms. A linear relationship was observed between shockwave impulse, peak pressure, and principal strains, while no significant differences in internal pressure dynamics were observed within the tested blast overpressure ranges.
Degree
thesis:*- Name thesis:degree_name
- Master of Science
- Level thesis:degree_level
- masters
- Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
- Aerospace Engineering
- Department dc:contributor.department
- Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
- Grantor dc:publisher
- Virginia Tech
- Year dc:date.issued
- 2025
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Anbarasu Kalpana, Pradikshan
- Chairs dc:contributor.committeechair
-
- Kapania, Rakesh K.
- VandeVord, Pamela J.
- Committee member dc:contributor.committeemember
-
- Hammerand, Daniel C.
Subjects
dc:subject × 5Rights
dc:rights- Statement dc:rights
-
- In Copyright
- Licence dc:rights.uri
- Language dc:language.iso
- en
Identifiers
dc:identifier.*- Dc Identifier Other
- vt_gsexam:42344
- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/124442