Numerical analysis of the spallation of steel target under explosive loading

A numerical analysis of the propagation of stress waves and the allied scabbing phenomena in a steel plate under explosive attack is made, by using a model of one-dimensional flow. The results are compared with our experimental results which were carried out several years ago. It is found that, in case the hydrodynamic-elastoplastic model for steel plate and the cumulative damage spall criterion are used, the calculated thickness of the major spall is in reasonable agreement with that obtained in the experiments. An approximate formula for the thickness of the major spall is presented and the mica-splitting phenomenon about the minor spalls observed in the experiments is satisfactorily explained.