Blast Mitigation in a Sandwich Composite Using Graded Core and Polyurea Interlayer

The dynamic behavior of two types of sandwich composites made of E-Glass Vinyl-Ester (EVE) facesheets and Corecell™ A-series foam with a polyurea interlayer was studied using a shock tube apparatus. The materials, as well as the core layer arrangements, were identical, with the only difference arising in the location of the polyurea interlayer. The foam core itself was layered with monotonically increasing wave impedance of the core layers, with the lowest wave impedance facing the shock loading. For configuration 1, the polyurea interlayer was placed behind the front facesheet, in front of the foam core, while in configuration 2 it was placed behind the foam core, in front of the back facesheet. A high-speed side-view camera, along with a high-speed back-view 3-D Digital Image Correlation (DIC) system, was utilized to capture the real time deformation process as well as mechanisms of failure. Post mortem analysis was also carried out to evaluate the overall blast performance of these two configurations. The results indicated that applying polyurea behind the foam core and in front of the back facesheet will reduce the back face deflection, particle velocity, and in-plane strain, thus improving the overall blast performance and maintaining structural integrity.     

The elastic–plastic behaviour of foam under shock loading

An experimental investigation of the elastic–plastic nature of shock wave propagation in foams was undertaken. The study involved experimental blast wave and shock tube loading of three foams, two polyurethane open-cell foams and a low-density polyethylene closed-cell foam. Evidence of precursor waves was observed in all three foam samples under various compressive wave loadings. Experiments with an impermeable membrane are used to determine if the precursor wave in an open-cell foam is a result of gas filtration or an elastic response of the foam. The differences between quasi-static and shock compression of foams is discussed in terms of their compressive strain histories and the implications for the energy absorption capacity of foam in both loading scenarios. Through a comparison of shock tube and blast wave loading techniques, suggestions are made concerning the accurate measurements of the principal shock Hugoniot in foams.     

The interaction between shock waves and foam in a shock tube

An experimental study and a numerical simulation were conducted to investigate the mechanical and thermodynamic processes involved in the interaction between shock waves and low density foam. The experiment was done in a stainless shock tube (80 mm in inner diameter, 10 mm in wall thickness and 5 360 mm in length). The velocities of the incident and reflected compression waves in the foam were measured by using piezo-ceramic pressure sensors. The end-wall peak pressure behind the reflected wave in the foam was measured by using a crystal piezoelectric sensor. It is suggested that the high end-wall pressure may be caused by a rapid contact between the foam and the end-wall surface. Both open-cell and closed-cell foams with different length and density were tested. Through comparing the numerical and experimental end-wall pressure, the permeability coefficients α and β are quantitatively determined.     

爆炸载荷下分层梯度泡沫铝夹芯板的失效模式与抗冲击性能

采用弹道冲击摆系统开展了爆炸载荷下分层梯度泡沫铝夹芯板的变形/失效模式和抗冲击性能实验研究,并配合激光位移传感器得到试件后面板中心点的挠度-时程响应曲线。研究了炸药当量和芯层组合方式对夹芯板试件变形/失效模式和抗冲击性能的影响。实验结果表明,泡沫铝夹芯板的变形/失效模式主要表现为面板的非弹性大变形,芯层压缩变形、芯层拉伸断裂以及芯层剪切失效。在研究爆炸冲量范围内,非梯度芯层夹芯板的抗冲击性能明显优越于所有分层梯度芯层夹芯板。对于分层梯度夹芯板试件,爆炸冲量较小时芯层组合形式对分层梯度芯层夹芯板的抗冲击性能的影响不大,而爆炸冲量较大时,最大相对密度芯层靠近前面板组合形式的分层梯度夹芯板试件抗冲击性能较好。研究结果可为泡沫金属夹芯结构的优化设计提供参考。     

泡沫材料对冲击波的衰减特性

对冲击波与开式、闭式泡沫作用及其在空气中的传播特性开展实验研究,探讨不同结构的泡沫材料对冲击波衰减的力学特征。通过定量分析泡沫材料对冲击波的超压峰值、正冲量的损失,分析冲击波入射、反射、透射的正冲量。实验结果表明, 泡沫材料对冲击波的衰减体现在对冲击波的反射衰减等方面,其中开式泡沫对冲击波的衰减效果比闭式泡沫稍好,且它们衰减冲击波的具体力学过程也不尽相同。     

Deformation rate effects on failure modes of open-cell Al foams and textile cellular materials

The compressive behavior of open-cell aluminum alloy foam and stainless steel woven textile core materials have been investigated at three different deformation rate regimes. Quasi-static compressive tests were performed using a miniature loading frame, intermediate rates were achieved using a stored energy Kolsky bar, and high strain rate tests were performed using a light gas gun.In agreement with previous studies on foam materials, the strain rate was not found to have a significant effect on the plateau stress of metallic foams. For all the tests, real time imaging of the specimen combined with digital image correlation analysis allowed the determination of local deformation fields and failure modes. For the Kolsky bar tests, the deformations in the foam specimen were found to be more distributed than for the quasi-static test, which is attributed to moderate inertia effects. The differences in failure mode are more dramatic for the gas gun experiments, where a full compaction shock wave is generated at the impact surface. The stresses in front and behind the shock wave front were determined by means of direct and reverse gas gun impact tests, i.e., stationary and launched specimen, respectively. A one-dimensional shock wave model based on an idealized foam behavior is employed to gain insight into the stress history measurements. We show that the predictions of the model are consistent with the experimental observations. Woven textile materials exhibited moderate dependence of strength on the deformation rate in comparison with open-cell foam materials.     

Blast Performance of Sandwich Composites with In-Plane Compressive Loading

An experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the dynamic performance of E-glass Vinyl Ester composite face sheet / foam core sandwich panels when subjected to pre-compression and subsequent blast loading. The sandwich panels were subjected to 0 kN, 15 kN and 25 kN of in plane compression respectively, prior to transverse blast wave loading with peak incident pressure of 1 MPa and velocity of 3 Mach. The blast loading was generated using a shock tube facility. During the experiments, a high-speed photographic system utilizing three digital cameras was used to acquire the real-time 3-D deformation of the sandwich panels. The 3D Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique was used to quantify the back face out-of-plane deflection and in-plane strain. The results showed that in-plane compressive loading facilitated buckling and failure in the front face sheet. This mechanism greatly reduced the blast resistance of sandwich composites.     

内爆炸载荷下梯度泡沫铝夹芯管的动态响应

基于3D-Voronoi技术构建了泡沫铝芯层的三维细观有限元模型,对梯度泡沫铝夹芯管在内爆炸载荷下的动态响应进行了数值模拟。分析讨论了夹芯管结构内外管的壁厚、泡沫芯层的相对密度、芯层梯度分布等参数对夹芯管结构的抗爆性能与吸能性能的影响,并与无芯层的双层圆管进行了对比。结果表明:泡沫材料的相对密度可通过改变泡沫胞元大小和胞元壁厚进行调控,利用两种方式构建的夹芯管计算结果一致;保持内、外圆管总质量不变,增大内管壁厚可以有效减小外管的塑性变形,但会影响泡沫芯层的能量耗散;泡沫芯层的填充可以有效降低内管的塑性变形,正梯度泡沫铝夹芯管的抗爆性能优于均匀泡沫及负梯度泡沫夹芯管。     

Attenuation of shock waves propagating in polyurethane foams

Shock wave attenuation in polyurethane foams is investigated experimentally and numerically. This study is a part of research project regarding shock propagation in polyurethane foams with high-porosities = 0.951 ~ 0.977 and low densities of ρc = 27.6 ~55.8 kg/m³. Sixty Millimeter long cylindrical foams with various cell numbers and foam insertion condition were installed in a horizontal shock tube of 50 mm i.d. and 5.4 mm in length. Results of pressure measurements in air/foam combination are compared with CFD simulation solving the one-dimensional Euler equations. In the case of a foam B fixed on shock tube wall, pressures at the shock tube end wall increases relatively slowly comparing to non-fixed foam, free to move and a foam A fixed on shock tube wall. This implies that elastic inertia hardly contributes to pressure build up. Pressures behind a foam C fixed on shock tube wall decrease indicating that shock wave is degenerated into compression wave. Dimensionless impulse and attenuation factor decrease as the initial cell number increases. The momentum loss varies depending on cell structure and cell number.     

Blast wave mitigation by dry aqueous foams

This paper presents results of experiments and numerical modeling on the mitigation of blast waves using dry aqueous foams. The multiphase formalism is used to model the dry aqueous foam as a dense non-equilibrium two-phase medium as well as its interaction with the high explosion detonation products. New experiments have been performed to study the mass scaling effects. The experimental as well as the numerical results, which are in good agreement, show that more than an order of magnitude reduction in the peak overpressure ratio can be achieved. The positive impulse reduction is less marked than the overpressures. The Hopkinson scaling is also found to hold particularly at larger scales for these two blast parameters. Furthermore, momentum and heat transfers, which have the main dominant role in the mitigation process, are shown to modify significantly the classical blast wave profile and thereafter to disperse the energy from the peak overpressure due to the induced relaxation zone. In addition, the velocity of the fireball, which acts as a piston on its environment, is smaller than in air. Moreover, the greater inertia of the liquid phase tends to project the aqueous foam far from the fireball. The created gap tempers the amplitude of the transmitted shock wave to the aqueous foam. As a consequence, this results in a lowering of blast wave parameters of the two-phase spherical decaying shock wave.     

Interaction of rarefaction waves with wet foam

The interaction of rarefaction waves of different shapes with wet water foams is studied experimentally. It is found that the observed values of the pressure are greater, while the surface velocity is lower than the corresponding values predicted by the pseudogas model. The foam breakdown starts as the pressure decreases by 0.3 atm relative to the initial pressure. During downstream propagation of the rarefaction-wave leading edge the propagation velocity decreases.Using of water-based foams as effective screens for damping blast waves in different technological processes has caused considerable interest in studying wave propagation in such systems. The pressure wave dynamics in a foam have been investigated in much detail, both experimentally and theoretically [1–3]. However, the interaction of rarefaction waves with foam has practically never been studied, although it was mentioned in [4] that the unloading phase following the compression wave phase is one of the factors defining the damaging action of blast waves. Besides blast-wave damping, rarefaction wave propagation takes place if such waves are used to breakup foam in oil-producing wells [5].Below, the interaction of rarefaction waves of different shapes with wet water foams is studied. The vertical shock tube described in detail in [3] was used in these experiments.Brest. Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 2, pp. 76–82, March–April, 1995.     

负梯度闭孔泡沫金属的力学性能分析

运用三维Voronoi技术生成闭孔梯度泡沫模型,结合有限元分析方法模拟负梯度闭孔泡沫金属在不同冲击速度下的力学行为。结果表明,随着冲击速度的提高,得到了与均匀泡沫一样的三种变形模式：准静态模式,过渡模式和冲击模式。通过对名义应力应变曲线和变形模式的研究,提出了一种新的定义局部密实化应变的方法,并研究了相对密度和密度梯度对它的影响。分别建立了相对密度和密度梯度与冲击速度的变形模式图。通过引入密实化因子,确定了三种变形模式对应的临界冲击速度。最后讨论了不同冲击速度下,密度梯度大小对泡沫材料能量吸收能力的影响。结果表明,在高速冲击的变形初期,密度梯度的绝对值越大,泡沫材料的能量吸收能力越强。     

One-dimensional shock wave interaction with rubber and low-porosity foam

One-dimensional interaction between a planar shock wave and a rubber or low-porosity foam is investigated experimentally and numerically. The considered polyurethane foam is of high density (ρ _c=290 kg/m³) and lowporosity (ϕ=0.76), and this corresponds to an intermediate condition between rubber and high-porosity foam. Stress-strain relations for the low-porosity foam are investigated by machine tests, which show larger deformation against compressive force and higher non-linearity in stress-strain curve as compared with rubber. Also the low-porosity foam shows a hysteresis cycle. Experiments on shock wave-foam interactions are conducted by using a shock tube. Experimental time history of the surface stress of the foam at the end of the shock tube does not show shock type stress increase, but continuous excessive stress rise can be seen, and then dumping vibration approaching to gas dynamic pressure of the reflected shock wave is followed, and the highest stress amounts about 3∼4 times of the pressure after the reflected gas dynamic shock wave. Interactive motions of gas and the low-porosity foam are analyzed using the Lagrangean coordinates system. An elastic model for a low-porosity foam is assumed to be a single elastic material with the measured stress-strain relation. Results of numerical simulations are compared with the shock tube experiments, which show essentially same stress variations with experimental results.     

A blast-tolerant sandwich plate design with a polyurea interlayer

This paper presents a study of both conventional and modified sandwich plate designs subjected to blast loads. The conventional sandwich Design (1) consists of thin outer (loaded side) and inner facesheets made of fibrous laminates, separated by a layer of structural foam core. In the modified Design (2), a thin polyurea interlayer is inserted between the outer facesheet and the foam core. Comparisons of the two designs are made during a long time period of 5.0 ms, initiated by a pressure impulse lasting 0.05 ms applied to a single span of a continuous plate. In the initial response period the overall deflections are limited and significant foam core crushing is caused in the conventional design by the incident compression wave. This type of damage is much reduced in the modified design, by stiffening of the polyurea interlayer under shock compression, which provides support to the outer facesheet and alters propagation of stress waves into the foam core. This benefits the long term, bending response and leads to significant reductions in facesheet strains and overall deflection. The total kinetic energy of the modified sandwich plate is much lower than that of a conventionally designed plate, and so is the stored and dissipated strain energy. Similar reductions are found when the conventional and the enhanced sandwich plates have equal overall thickness or equal total mass.     

The reflected pressure field in the interaction of weak shock waves with a compressible foam

This paper deals with the waves that are reflected from slabs of porous compressible foam attached to a rigid wall when impacted by a weak shock wave. The interest is in establishing possible attenuation of the pressure field after a shock or blast wave has struck the surface. Foam densities from 14 to 38 kg/m³ were tested over a range of shock wave Mach numbers less than 1.4. It is shown that the initial reflected shock wave strength is accurately predicted by the pseudo-gas model of Gelfand et al. (1983), with a pressure ratio of approximately 80% of the value for reflection off a rigid wall. Evidence is presented of gas entering the foam during the early stages of the process. A second wave emerges from the foam at a later stage and is separated from the first by a region of constant velocity and pressure. This second wave is not a shock wave but a compression front of significant thickness, which emerges from the foam earlier than predicted by the pseudo-gas model. Analysis of the origin of this wave points to much more complex flows within the foam than previously assumed, particularly in an apparent decrease in average wave front speed as the foam is compressed. It is shown that the pressure ratio across both these waves taken together is slightly higher than that for reflection off a rigid wall. In some cases this compression wave train is followed by a weak expansion wave.This article was processed using Springer-Verlag T_EX Shock Waves macro package 1990.     

The dynamic response of composite sandwich beams to transverse impact

The dynamic response of glass fibre–vinylester composite beams is measured by impacting the beams at mid-span with metal foam projectiles. The beams exist in composite monolithic form, and in sandwich configuration with composite face-sheets and a core made from PVC foam or end-grain balsa wood. High-speed photography is used to measure the transient transverse deflection of the beams and to record the dynamic modes of deformation and failure. For both monolithic and sandwich configurations, a flexural wave travels from the impact site towards the supports. Ultimate failure of the monolithic and sandwich beams is by tensile tearing of the faces. The sandwich beams also exhibit cracking of the core, and face-sheet delamination. The dynamic strength of the beams is quantified by the maximum transient transverse deflection at mid-span of the beams as a function of projectile momentum. It is demonstrated that sandwich beams can outperform monolithic beams of equal mass. The trade-off between core strength and core thickness is such that a low density PVC foam core outperforms a higher density PVC foam core. End-grain balsa wood has a superior stiffness and strength to that of PVC foam in compression and in shear. Consequently, sandwich beams with a balsa core outperform beams with a PVC foam core for projectiles of low momentum. The order reverses at high values of projectile momentum: the sandwich beams with a balsa wood core fail prematurely in longitudinal shear by splitting along the grain.     

Effect of Compressible Foam Properties on Pressure Amplification During Shock Wave Impact

A comprehensive study is made of the influence of the physical properties of compressible open-cell foam blocks exposed to shock-wave loading, and particularly on the pressure distribution on the shock tube walls. Seven different foams are used, with three different shock Mach numbers, and three different slab lengths. Foam properties examined include permeability, density, stiffness, tortuosity and cell characteristics. The investigations concentrate on both side-wall and back-wall pressures, and the peak pressures achieved, as well as collapse velocities of the front face and the strength and nature of the reflected shock wave. The consequences of deviations from one-dimensionality are identified; primarily those due to wall friction and side-wall leakage. The results presented are the most comprehensive and wide ranging series conducted in a single facility and are thus a significant resource for comparison with theoretical and numerical studies. The different foams show significant differences in behavior, both in terms of peak pressure and duration, depending primarily on their density and permeability.This paper was based on work presented at the 2nd International Symposium on Interdisciplinary Shock Wave Research, Sendai, Japan on March 1–3, 2005.     

孔结构金属复合夹芯板抗爆炸冲击响应及吸能特性研究

采用有限元方法研究爆炸载荷下四边固支孔结构金属复合夹芯板的动力响应及吸能特性,给出了孔结构金属复合夹芯板的动力响应过程,得到夹芯板的变形模式,比较了孔结构金属复合夹芯板与非孔结构金属复合夹芯板的抗爆炸冲击性能,同时讨论了孔大小、间距、排布方式和面板质量分布等因素对孔结构金属复合夹芯板抗爆炸冲击性能的影响。研究结果表明,迎爆面外面板的孔设计使爆炸冲击波穿过孔洞直接作用在芯材上,增强了芯材的压缩,从而提高了夹芯板的能量吸收能力。同等面密度情况下,内外面板厚度比大于1的孔结构金属复合夹芯板变形挠度小于内外面板厚度比小于1的孔结构金属复合夹芯板。进一步研究发现,通过合理设计内外面板的质量分布,可以使孔结构金属复合夹芯板的抗爆炸冲击性能最优。     

Specific features of incident and reflected blast waves

On the basis of numerical modeling specific features of shock wave reflections were analyzed. It was found, that after diaphragm rupture self-modeling pressure and velocity distributions nearby the shock front establish. But in some special cases the temperature behind the shock front can rise. This peculiarity should be taken into account when performing experiments with high reactive gaseous mixtures. The temperature on the shock front and the velocity gradient behind it are uniform in the case of strong blast wave reflections. This effect is observed in the zone with an elevated temperature profile behind the incident blast wave. The reflected triangular waves conserve a quasi-self-modeling character by pressure. Typical experiments were carried out to verify the theoretical predictions. The effects of reflected wave acceleration in the case of triangular waves and the self-similar character of the pressure profiles were observed.This article was processed using Springer-Verlag T_EX Shock Waves macro package 1.0 and the AMS fonts, developed by the American Mathematical Society.     

非均匀泡沫金属材料在冲击载荷下的变形模拟

提出一种二维非线性弹塑性质量-弹簧-连杆模型，该模型将泡沫金属材料离散成许多质量块，质量块在受载方向由非线性弹塑性弹簧连接，垂直于受载方向由可延伸的弹性连杆铰接。采用该模型模拟并分析了层非均匀泡沫金属材料及局部不均匀泡沫金属材料在冲击载荷下的变形特性，说明了非均匀性对泡沫金属材料冲击变形的影响。