To use bone as an example, if we had a large encased box of bone instead of a ribcage, it would be very easy to shatter, and once shattered, your odds of healing properly are basically nil. “Actually I know the answer to this one! When you have a large plate, the reaction it has to force changes. This explanation by u/glory_of_dawn helps explain the use of armor plates on an engineering suit: Clarks suit on the other hand is tailored to be within high risk areas where things might end up hitting him or bumping into him, and the armor plates located along his arms and torso are there to provide some reinforcement/protection from whatever might hit him, and even though ut might hurt him and injure him, the plates will definitely dampen the damage or hold the area that was injured in place from moving around and causing more damage. I would assume it would focus on keeping the individual safe from exposure to space along with extremely cold or hit temps, so armor would be minimal at most.

Dead space 2 armor