Dynamic response of plates subjected to blast loading

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to compare the test and numerical responses of metallic plates subjected to air blast loads so that the accuracy of modern calculation methods and computational codes can be determined. A secondary objective was to provide data that could be used by other researchers for checking the accuracy of a variety of calculation methods. The paper describes a set of four tests at full scale on two non-stiffened metallic steel plates with different boundary conditions, (one set up as a cantilever and another clamped along the four edges), which are subjected to the action of pressure waves originating from the detonation of high explosive charges. The time histories of the acceleration at different points on both plates and of the pressure waves at selected points on the plates were recorded. In addition, a linear dynamic analysis of the plate models was carried out (using the code ABAQUS). A comparison of the numerical and experimental results is discussed, and suggestions about the computer modelling of structures under impulsive loads are put forward.