Evaluation of hazards to occupant of the "Compact 230 Minecat" exposed to blast from 10 kg TNT

Abstract

A mineclearing vehicle, Compact 230 MINCAT, of the rotating flail type has been developed by Norwegian Demining Consortium (NoDeCo). The machine is of the rotating flail type, and is based on the Bobcat 863 compact loader chassis. This report evaluates the hazards to an operator seated in the vehicle when a blast mine detonates during normal clearing operations. A simplified dummy equipped with accelerometers and a spine force load cell was employed during detonation of 10 kg TNT under the flail. Internal cabin pressure and cabin floor acceleration was also recorded. By use of established damage criteria from the literature, it can be concluded that the operator will not be injured, provided that the cabin is undamaged, the doors remain properly shut, and the operator wears head and ear protection.