Study of Effectiveness of Countermine Boots

Abstract

The goal of this study was to conduct a qualitative analysis to determine the effectiveness of countermine boots. This was done by determining their ability to dissipate a blast force equivalent to a typical anti-personnel landmine. This was followed by a parametric study that which involved altering the component materials in an effort to determine if the effectiveness of the boots varied as the materials changed. A finite element analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the countermine boot based upon accepted tolerance levels of the lower extremity of the body. The materials and their dimensions were modified in the finite element model to determine how these modifications would impact the boots’ effectiveness.