Energy Absorbing Structures for Underbody Blast Protein

The disclosed technology regards a de-coupled V-hull structure for use with an armored vehicle, and energy absorbing crush elements suitable for mounting the V-hull structure in a de-coupled manner to the vehicle. The energy absorbing V-hull structure includes a sloped armor structure forming a cavity having a v-shaped cross-section and a plurality of reinforcing elements, including a backbone, hull stiffeners and lateral supports. The elements are coupled together and supported by energy absorber mounts, extending along each side of the structure. Crush elements suitable for decoupling the V-hull structure are also disclosed, having a uniquely designed housing, a plurality of plates positioned within the housing, and affixation means for securing the crush element to the underside of the vehicle and to the top of the V-hull structure.