Author(s)

G.K. Schleyer

Abstract

The methods most frequently used for preliminary evaluation of explosion damage are the empirically based pressure-impulse charts of constant damage levels, single-degree-of-freedom dynamic analysis of equivalent spring-mass systems, and the energy and rigid-plastic theoretical solutions. Experimental data for the explosion loading of square plates having nominal dimensions of 125 mm, 1 m and 3 m will be discussed and compared with some simplified theoretical predictions. Some comments will be offered on scaling effects and on the accuracy of simple methods of analysis for dynamic loadings ranging from those characterised as quasi-static to impulsive loadings. Notation E Young’s modulus of elasticity H Plate thickness L Half-span length of square plate λ Dimensionless kinetic energy M0 Fully plastic moment capacity of plate

Keywords