Effect of Hull Obliquity on Crew Protection, Mass and Space Occupancy of Light Armoured Vehicle

An Optimal Design Approach

Abstract

Apart from strengthening crew protective capability from gunfire, the hull obliquity in a light armoured vehicle (LAV) affects its weight and comfortable occupancy. Thus, it requires a critical design analysis for the obliqued hull. The study aims to present the optimal design analysis of an obliqued hull structure to ensure comfortable occupancy of the crew along with its minimum attainable weight and higher protection capability from the gunfire. Three geometric models (G1, G2, and G3) were investigated for the LAV hull’s optimal design. The analytical approach was used to investigate the hull obliquity’s effect, and the results were validated using experimental data reported by other researchers. Digital human modelling was adopted for validating the space adequacy of the hull. It was observed that the hull’s crew protection capabilities from the horizontal strike of armour piercing rounds/bullets were improved almost by half and double for G2 and G3, respectively, when compared with G1. The analytical results are also in good agreement with globally accepted experimental data at reasonable variations. The highest protection capability and comfortable occupancy for the targeted users can be achieved by G3 without affecting the mobility of LAV.