Energy Dissipation during Impact

Protection of equipment during impact requires a cushioning system that will limit accelerations to some predetermined level. In general, such cushioning systems must be capable of dissipating a large amount of energy per unit weight of the system. This capability requires that some very special characteristics in the systems be employed. These characteristics are discussed and illustrations are given of materials and systems that have these characteristics; special advantages and disadvantages that various systems have are pointed out. Methods for evaluating cushioning systems are discussed and typical force‐displacement curves are shown. Costs per ft⋅lb of energy dissipated are compared for certain selected systems. Latest developments in energy‐dissipation techniques are discussed and most likely areas of future development are suggested.