A Study Into LDPE as an Undersurfacing Material for Injury Prevention and Risk Minimisation in Children’s Playgrounds

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Eager
Keyword(s):  
Injury Prevention ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Risk Minimisation ◽  
Absorption Properties ◽  
Closed Cell ◽  
Height Of Fall ◽  
Absorbing Material ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Impact Absorption ◽  
Cell Foam

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) closed-cell foam is used extensively as an impact absorbing material for injury prevention and risk minimisation in a variety of applications, including children’s playground undersurfacing, padding for trampoline frames, and other fall zones. This paper presents and analyses the data from numerous impact tests performed on samples of LDPE of select different product thicknesses (10, 20, 30 and 40 mm), nominal Relative Densities (30, 45, 60 and 75 kg/m3) and drops or free height of fall (100 mm steps in heights from 300 to 2100 mm). The impact absorption properties of LDPE are characterized using the Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4422: Playground Surfacing — Specifications, Requirements and Test Method. The gmax and HIC results are presented both graphically and numerically. This paper also discusses uses and limitations of LDPE with particular emphasis on injury prevention and risk minimisation.

scholarly journals EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF THE IMPACTABSORPTION PROPERTIES OF RUBBER TILES FOR THE PLAYGROUND

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (05) ◽  
pp. 244-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
LI-TUNG CHANG ◽  
KUEN-HORNG TSAI ◽  
JIN-SHAN SHIAU
Keyword(s):  
Head Injury ◽  
Head Injuries ◽  
Peak Acceleration ◽  
Critical Height ◽  
Shock Absorption ◽  
Absorption Properties ◽  
Head Injury Criterion ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Impact Absorption ◽  
Base Structure

Rubber tiles are popular in playgrounds as protective surfacing to reduce the incidence of head injuries caused by children falling from equipment. However, Taiwan has not yet established a test code for assessment of the shock-absorption properties of such surfacing. For this study, an experimental model was established to evaluate the behavior of various rubber tiles. A hemispherical headform was dropped from a set height to strike the center of the specimen tile. The peak acceleration and Head Injury Criterion (HIC) were measured to assess the impact absorption of and critical height for a given rubber tile. The results show that utilization of the HIC index provides a more conservative assessment of the shock absorption and, ultimately, protection from head injuries than peak acceleration. The maximum critical heights of the rubber tiles used in this study for tile thicknesses of 45, 60 and 80 mm were 1.6, 2.0 and 2.2 m, respectively. Two-part rubber tiles with a base structure consisting of a box-like core offer superior protection from head injuries relative to analogous cylindrical, square pillar and solid structures. The maximum differences in peakacceleration and HIC values comparing the box-like core and solid structures at a thickness of 45 mm were 21% and 44%, respectively. The results of this study suggest a minimum of rubber thickness of 60 mm, based on probable maximum fall heights of more than 1.6 m. Moreover, incorporation of an appropriate cushioning structure in the base of the rubber tile could further improve protection.

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