Experimental investigation of polymer gravel slab under air contact and near-field explosions

Abstract

Polymer materials are widely used in critical infrastructures, which may be damaged by explosion loads in complex service conditions. In this study, field tests are carried out to investigate damage modes and characteristics of polymer gravel slabs under air contact and near-field explosion. Eight pieces of polymer gravel slabs are subjected to air contact and near-field explosion using different quantities of explosive charge. The time-history curves of the upper and lower side explosion shock waves of the specimen are obtained by an air shock wave tester. It was found that polymer gravel slabs have a proper attenuation effect on the explosion shock waves. Also, the local punching shear perforation damage is the main damage mode under the air contact explosion. In addition, top surface exfoliating and overall bending failure occur under the air near-field explosion.