Dynamic response of full-scale sandwich composite structures subject to air-blast loading

• Published in: Composites. Part A, Applied science and manufacturing Applied science and manufacturing, 2011-11, Vol.42 (11), p.1651-1662
• Main Authors: Arora, H., Hooper, P.A., Dear, J.P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A. Layered structures; A. Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs); Applied sciences; B. Impact behaviour; Blasts; C. Finite element analysis (FEA); Composite structures; Deformation; Exact sciences and technology; finite element analysis; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Glass fiber reinforced plastics; glass fibers; Laminates; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Panels; photography; Polymer industry, paints, wood; polymers; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 1359-835X; 1878-5840
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2011.07.018

Glass-fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) sandwich structures (1.6 m × 1.3 m) were subject to 30 kg charges of C4 explosive at stand-off distances 8–14 m. Experiments provide detailed data for sandwich panel response, which are often used in civil and military structures, where air-blast loading represents a serious threat. High-speed photography, with digital image correlation (DIC), was employed to monitor the deformation of these structures during the blasts. Failure mechanisms were revealed in the DIC data, confirmed in post-test sectioning. The experimental data provides for the development of analytical and computational models. Moreover, it underlines the importance of support boundary conditions with regards to blast mitigation. These findings were analysed further in finite element simulations, where boundary stiffness was, as expected, shown to strongly influence the panel deformation. In-depth parametric studies are ongoing to establish the hierarchy of the various factors that influence the blast response of sandwich composite structures.