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Topic Date User

measuring dissipation of force of bouldering mats 1-Jun-2006 At 9:27:09 PM take!

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Sorry to reply late (exams etc...)
I think that finding the amount of force which is suitable for the body is a starting point. Then sampling a small amount of your chosen material(s) to see which ones give the lowest readings with in the max force. The test sample can be any standardised size to suit your anvil/drop weight test rig.
Have a look into the way that motorcycle clothing impact protection is tested to gain CE approval in Europe (standard en1621-1 and en1621-2).
From memory the torso (thoracic cage) is good for 4kN, the major limb joints 35kN. The 4kN is also used for equestrian protection vests. Note, these are values for one-off impacts and are maximums to limit serious trauma, not forces for repeated bouldering falls. I remember having a book that had impacts using cadavers in simulated car accidents and recorded the forces and different 'injuries'. There should be similar lists of acceptable forces for human limb closed kinematic chains somewhere - try chiro, human movement and physio faculties etc.
Other thoughts on the test rig would be to contact Australian Standards for the number of a crash helmet test facility (can't be more than 1 or 2). They should be happy to walk a student through their place (maybe) and you can get ideas from them.
Look at gymnastic suppliers and see if their stuff refers to a standard, this standard may have useful force parameters (?).

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Oh and a new stanley knife (box cutter) blade should do most of the stuff, you should only need sample sized foam pieces.