Safety harness design for different load cases

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Harnesses are a necessary component in safety equipment for both recreational and industrial settings. While their primary purpose is to provide loads to the body, an improper distribution of such loads can lead to discomfort and long-term musculoskeletal injury. Arcteryx, a company based in British Columbia, has patented technologies to distribute loads in a single harness strap, and enhance user comfort in recreational climbing harnesses. To expand to other harness markets and maintain their high standards for safety and comfort, Arcteryx requires more information on the load distributions between harness straps in a harness with multiple load paths onto the body. The proposed research project will aid in design of harnesses that evenly distribute loads between multiple straps on the body. This will be achieved by completing two tasks: 1) developing a mathematical model to determine strap material properties and harness geometry that evenly distributes loads and 2) prototyping the harness design and measuring the load distributions experimentally in a robot designed to apply loads in a range of conditions. While harnesses are primarily designed for safety, maximizing comfort ensures compliant use and minimizes long-term musculoskeletal complications. Even distribution of loads has long been the goal in harness design but has not yet been demonstrated or quantified. This project will provide mathematical and experimental tools for harness design, and help Arcteryx remain a global leader in harnesses manufactured for both safety and comfort.