Dynamic behavior predictions of fiber-metal laminate/aluminum foam sandwiches under various explosive weights

Abstract

Application of blast tests causes some problems to characterize the performance of panels due to the drastic conditions of explosive medium. Real test has high safety concerns and is not easily accessible because of its extra budget. Some approaches are needed for the preliminary predictions of dynamic characteristics of panels under blast loading conditions. In this study, the response of sandwiches under blast effect was evaluated by combining quasi-static experiments and computational blast test data. The primary aim is to relate the quasi-static panel analysis to dynamic blast load. Based on this idea, lightweight sandwich composites were subjected to quasi-static compression loading with a special test apparatus and the samples were assumed as single degree-of-freedom mass-spring systems to include dynamic effect. This approach provides a simpler way to simulate the blast loading over the surface of the panels and reveals the possible failure mechanisms without applying any explosives. Therefore the design of the panels can be revised by considering quasi-static test results. In this work, the peak deflections and survivabilities of sandwiches for various explosive weights were predicted based on the formulations reported in the literature. Major failure types were also identified and evaluated with respect to their thicknesses.