Simulation of Blast Pressure on Flexible Panel

Abstract

Flexible aluminum panels of various thickness subjected to blast loads have been analyzed by different techniques; an equivalent single degree of freedom program using the DUHAMEL integration technique and a multiple‐degree‐of‐freedom finite element program. Panels of various thickness have been modeled as simply supported plates using equivalent beams with moment of inertia adjusted to account for the greater stiffness of plate action. Two dynamic load types were examined. The first type correctly depicts nonlinear blast loads. The second type, a triangular load, is a commonly employed approximation of nonlinear blast pressures. Comparisons of dynamic reduction factors for the structural response shows that the dynamic nature of blast loads reduce panel response significantly. Frequently used triangular pressure distribution for simulation of blast pressure, is found to be overly conservative. A better match is obtained by reducing the duration of triangular pressure pulse. An equivalent pulse duration i...