Dynamic response of graded PVC foam sandwich panel under air blast loads

Abstract

The dynamic responses of layered polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam sandwich panels under air blast loads were investigated by employing 3D numerical simulation method. PVC foam of different densities and Kevlar composite were selected, respectively, as core and face sheets of sandwich panels. The quasi-static mechanical behavior of PVC foam was tested by a quasi-static compression experiment. Two types of density-graded panels (three-layer foam core and six-layer foam core) were analyzed under different explosive charge to explore the effect of gradient arrangement and the layer number of foam core. The validation of the simulation approach was studied by a comparison of simulation results with the existing experimental results from the literature. The deformation characteristics, support reactions and energy absorption of sandwich panels were analyzed to explore the blast resistance of the graded foam sandwich structures. It can be found that the gradient strategy of foam core has a significant influence on the PVC foam sandwich panel under air blast loads, and increasing the thickness of the back sheet is an effective measurement to improve the blast resistance of PVC foam sandwich panel with Kevlar face sheet.