A DIC-based surrogate model for assessing blunt ballistic trauma by deformable non-lethal kinetic projectiles

Abstract Non-lethal kinetic projectiles (NLKP) are designed to incapacitate targets through pain compliance without causing fatal injuries. Traditional injury risk assessment for rigid NLKPs typically employs the projectile's displacement within the impact zone as a surrogate to estimate the compression displacement of the target organ. However, accurately quantifying the injury effects of deformable NLKPs remains challenging, as significant projectile deformation precludes precise measurement. Drawing upon Post-Mortem Human Subject (PMHS) literature data, this study constructs a surrogate model for thoracic injury risk assessment by conducting blunt impact tests on a Hybrid III 50th percentile male dummy. This model enables the prediction of AIS 2 + thoracic injury risk based on the projectile's physical parameters and measurable compression displacement. Applying this surrogate model to evaluate the 12-gauge bean bag round, results indicate that at a terminal velocity of 60m/s, the probability of inducing AIS 2 + thoracic injury is significantly below 50%.