An Criterion to Minimize FE Mesh-Dependency in Concrete Plate under Impact Loading

Abstract

In the context of an increasing need for safety in concrete structures under blast and impact loading condition, the behavior of concrete under high strain rate condition has been an important issue. Since concrete subjected to impact loading associated with high strain rate shows quite different material behavior from that in the static state, several material models are proposed and used to describe the high strain rate behavior under blast and impact loading. In the process of modelling high strain rate conditions with these material models, mesh dependency in the used finite element(FE) is the key problem because simulation results under high strain-rate condition are quite sensitive to applied FE mesh size. This paper introduces an criterion which can minimize the mesh-dependency of simulation results on the basis of the fracture energy concept, and HJC(Holmquist Johnson Cook) model is examined to trace sensitivity to the used FE mesh size. To coincide with the purpose of the perforation simulation with a concrete plate under a projectile(bullet), the residual velocities of projectile after perforation are compared. The analytical results show that the variation of residual velocity with the used FE mesh size is quite reduced and accuracy of simulation results are improved by applying a unique failure strain value determined according to the proposed criterion.