Theoretical and experimental analysis of plastic response of isotropic circular plates subjected to underwater explosion loading

Abstract

AbstractDynamic response analysis of structures subjected to underwater explosion (UndEx) loading has been always an interesting field of study for ship designers and metal forming specialists. Understanding the deformation and rupture mechanism of simple structures plays an important role in successful designing of a reliable structure under this kind of loading. In this paper, first the major parameters of the UndEx phenomenon (peak overpressure, impulse per unit area, dimensionless damage parameter Φ, etc.) are discussed and determined by means of available experimental relations mostly offered by R. Cole. After that, the maximum deflection of a fully clamped circular plate has been calculated using a theoretical procedure assuming two different conditions: (1) neglecting the effect of strain rate, (2) considering the strain rate sensitivity of the material.Some experiments have been conducted on 5010 aluminum circular plates, using C4 as explosive. In order to simulate reality, a fixture was designed so that the plates are loaded in air‐backed condition. Plates were fixed on top of the fixture, so the fully clamped condition which was assumed as the boundary condition was achieved. The test specimens were measured, not only their maximum deflection but also their thickness at different radii were determined. The results are compared to experimental‐based predictions offered by Nurick and Rajendran who has conducted similar experiments. The results show reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions, especially when strain rate effects are considered. In addition, two new material constants (D, q) for this special aluminum alloy are introduced.