The Damage and Impulse Transfer Characteristics of Flexible Steel V-Structures with Large Bend Radii

Abstract

This paper reports results from an experimental and computational study on the influence of bend radius and internal angle on the damage and impulse transfer characteristics of flexible steel V-structures subjected to localized explosion loading. This issue has bearing on the manufacturing of V-hulls used for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles used around the world. Global impulse transfer, damage and transient deformation were measured during small-scale explosive detonations on 1:8-scale V-structures. The work found that increasing the bend radius to values that can be used in practical manufacturing generated damage that was less localized than the damage observed in V-structures with tighter bend radii. High-speed imaging was able to measure transient deformation that was maximal in the centre, and lower elastic post-peak vibration magnitudes at high charge masses. The impulse transfer increased as the bend radius increased and the internal V-angle increased. Since V-structures with tighter bend radii exhibit less permanent deformation and higher deformation gradients, they will be more prone to localized ruptures when deployed for blast protection, whereas structures with larger tip radii will need a larger region of the V-structure repaired after a blast event but may be less prone to rupturing when the blast loading is localized.

Blast Effects on Hyperloop’s Cylindrical Thin-Shell Structures

“…It reveals that a mesh size larger than 25 mm produces slightly unstable values for stresses, creating inaccurate blast loading results. This is relatively similar to other studies in the area [45][46][47]. However, a mesh element size smaller than 15 mm is an unnecessary value as stress has reached a stable value where convergence time significantly increases.…”

“…Segments are unaware of venting holes for pressure, calculating results in spite of the pressure load acting on other segments. Whilst this characteristic is expected for empirical blast models and acceptable for calculating blast responses [45][46][47], further development using MM-ALE simulations will provide further insight into blast loading and pressure dissipation on hyperloop structures. This will form a part of our future research.…”

Special Issue on Explosion Effects in the Built Environment

“…Protection systems are the topic of interest in the remaining contributions [8,9]. Shekhar et al [8] report results from an experimental and computational study on the influence of geometric features on the damage and impulse transfer of scaled steel V-structures under blast loading.…”

“…Protection systems are the topic of interest in the remaining contributions [8,9]. Shekhar et al [8] report results from an experimental and computational study on the influence of geometric features on the damage and impulse transfer of scaled steel V-structures under blast loading. Similar full-scale V-structures are used on the underside of most mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles used in conflict and peace-keeping regions across the globe.…”