Numerical modeling of response of monolithic and bilayer plates to impulsive loads

Abstract

In this paper, we present and discuss the results of our numerical simulation of the dynamic response and failure modes of circular DH-36 steel plates and DH-36 steel–polyurea bilayers, subjected to impulsive loads in reverse ballistic experiments. In our previous article, we reported the procedure and results of these experiments [MR Amini, JB Isaacs, S Nemat-Nasser. Experimental investigation of response of monolithic and bilayer plates to impulsive loads. accepted]. For the numerical simulations, we have used physics-based and experimentally-supported temperature- and rate-sensitive constitutive models for steel and polyurea, including in the latter case the pressure effects. Comparing the simulation and the experimental results, we focus on identifying the potential underpinning mechanisms that control the deformation and failure modes of both monolithic steel and steel–polyurea bilayer plates. The numerical simulations reveal that the bilayer plate has a superior performance over the monolithic plate if the polyurea layer is cast on its back face (opposite to the blast-receiving side). The presence of the polyurea layer onto the front face (blast-receiving side) amplifies the initial shock loading and thereby enhances the destructive effect of the blast, promoting (rather than mitigating) the failure of the steel plate. In addition, the interface bonding strength between polyurea and steel is examined numerically and it is observed that the interface bonding strength has a significant effect on the performance of the steel–polyurea bilayer plates. The numerical simulations support the experimentally observed facts provided the entire experiment is simulated, employing realistic physics-based constitutive models for all constituents.