High-intensity Shock Research Articles

Numerical study of bifurcation structures in reflected shock-wave/laminar-boundary-layer interaction within an end-wall tube

Abstract The primary aim of this study is to analyze the unsteady characteristics of the interaction between a reflected shock wave and a laminar boundary layer in an end-wall shock tube. Our direct numerical simulations at shock Mach numbers of Ms=1.9, 2.5, and 3.5 using a fifth-order WENO scheme and three-step Runge-Kutta time integration method revealed inhomogeneity and anisotropy in the shock bifurcation. Surprisingly, the upper and lower bifurcated structures maintain a notably asymmetric flow during the forward propagation of the reflected shock bifurcation. The inverse flow in the bifurcation resembles a crooked earthworm structure, exhibiting high-frequency oscillations indicative of instability. However, at higher shock intensities, the earthworm transforms into a stable strip-like configuration, facilitating the entrapment of inverse flow and leading to rapid bifurcation height growth and early convergence. Additionally, isolated islands with high density, temperature, and pressure emerge in the transitional region behind the bifurcated shocks, due to variations in wave propagation speed.

Orientation effects on shock-induced plastic deformation in FeNiCoCu high entropy alloy

FeNiCoCu high-entropy alloys (HEAs) demonstrate promising potential for widespread use in structural and functional applications. However, a thorough understanding of dynamic deformation processes in FeNiCoCu HEA is limited due to technological constraints in detecting real-time microstructural developments at the atomic level. This study examines the shock-induced plastic deformations in the equiatomic FeNiCoCu HEA, focusing on crystallographic orientation and particle velocity, using nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. We obtained the P−V/V0, P−T, P−Up, and Us−Up Hugoniot relations and evaluated their anisotropy. The shock velocity, stress, and shear stress exhibit orientation dependence due to the differences in the plastic deformation mechanism. For shock loading along [100] orientations, dislocation dominates at lower shock intensities. However, a phase transition from face-centered-cubic (FCC) to body-centered-cubic becomes the primary plastic deformation at high shock intensity. For shock loading along [112¯] and [111] orientations, the generation of disordered structures and dislocation activities is revealed to play an important role in the development of localized plastic deformation. Moreover, the competition of disordered and hexagonal-close-packed (HCP) atoms is observed. The transition from FCC to disordered atoms provides nucleation sites for dislocations, and the slip of dislocations around disordered atoms leads to the formation of HCP structures. These findings are very helpful for learning the dynamic deformation behavior of FeNCoCu HEA.

MODELING OSTEOCYTE UNDER SHOCK-WAVE THERAPEUTIC LOADING

Dental implants have substantial significance in modern dentistry, but their osseointegration stage remains the most crucial and time-consuming step for compensating for a lost tooth. One promising approach to improve osseointegration rates is the use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy, which has shown efficacy in treating fractures, bone defects, and bone tissue regeneration in surgical and arthroplasty procedures. To comprehend the potential of shock wave therapy in accelerating implant osseointegration, it is crucial to investigate the influence of mechanical loading on ossification processes of varying scales objectively. This study aims to study numerically the effects of low-energy shock wave therapy at different intensities on the mechanical response of a single osteocyte, the principal bone cell that corresponds to microscale of bone tissue. The investigation employs the method of movable cellular automata for modeling. The computer simulation results and analysis based on mechanobiological principles indicate that low-intensity shock wave loading creates conditions for intramembranous ossification, whereas high-intensity shock wave exposure creates conditions for endochondral ossification.

Repetitive shock waves generated by a single long pulse underwater arc discharge

The electrohydraulic effect induced by underwater arc discharge is an efficient way to generate controllable, high-intensity shock waves. However, the development process of underwater arc discharge involves the complex coupling of plasma arc, gas bubble, and liquid medium, of which the evolution mechanism is not well understood. In this paper, the underwater arc discharge process at a millisecond pulse (>50 ms) was investigated by high-speed shadow imaging and colorimetric temperature measurement, and a simulation model of bubble pulsation was proposed to quantitatively estimate the state variation and energy transfer of the gas bubble. The results indicate that the whole arc discharge process can be categorized into three successive stages: short-period oscillation, long-period oscillation, and quasi-steady state. The vapor inside the bubble can reach a supercritical state (827 K and 140 MPa) at the minimum bubble radius. The simulation shows that the light radiation absorption and the heat conduct loss through metal electrodes are the two dominant factors influencing the pulsation of the bubble, and further analysis indicates that the dynamic evolution of the arc determines the bubble pulsation mode. Our findings demonstrate why and how repetitive electrohydraulic shock waves can be generated by a single long pulse underwater arc discharge, providing a low-cost way of shock wave generator based on an AC/DC high-voltage power source.

Study on damage characteristics of sandwich plate under the combined action of explosion shock wave and randomly distributed fragments

The load resulting from the explosion of a missile warhead comprises high-intensity shock waves and a random distribution of fragment loads characterized by diverse shapes, sizes, and distributions. Complex coupling between shock waves and fragments are necessary to comprehensively evaluate the blast-resistance performance of U-typed sandwich panels. A numerical model based on the finite-element software was established to investigate the dynamic response of U-typed sandwich-panel structures under the combined action of shock waves and randomly distributed fragment groups. The effectiveness of the numerical model was validated by comparing results with experimental values. A random fragment field-generation model that conforms to the characteristics of a power-law distribution is constructed through the implementation of the Voronoi segmentation algorithm and a Python-based computational module. Building on this framework, this study explored the complex coupling process between shock waves and randomly distributed fragments. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis was performed to examine the structural damage characteristics with various fragment distributions and fragment densities. Diverse perforation patterns were observed in the upper plate of the U-typed sandwich panel for different fragment densities. Furthermore, the perforation area of the upper plate initially increased, followed by a decrease with increasing fragment density.

High-impact dynamic loading method for calibration of triaxial acceleration sensors

Abstract In this study, a high-impact dynamic loading device was designed to generate a three-dimensional pulse excitation signal with high intensity shock acceleration and achieve triaxial synchronous calibration of a triaxial acceleration sensor. A light-gas gun interior ballistic model and a sensor mechanical response model were developed, and the relationships between the bullet impact velocity, barrel length, and initial chamber pressure were obtained. Additionally, the transformation relationship of the sensor’s triaxial acceleration in different coordinate systems was derived. Based on the stress wave theory and the finite element method, the influence of the bullet impact velocity on the variation pulse, and different slope and deflection angles on the triaxial acceleration were analyzed. By optimizing the parameter design, machining the prototype, and conducting high-impact dynamic loading tests, the results showed that the deviation between theoretical and measured values of the generated triaxial acceleration signal was small, and the maximum deviation was less than 4%. This indicated that the proposed high-impact dynamic loading device satisfied the calibration requirements for calibrating triaxial acceleration sensors, which can generate a three-dimensional acceleration with a peak value of not less than 700 000 m s−2.

Punishment-induced resurgence

The phenomenon of extinction-induced resurgence is well established, but there is comparatively little experimental evidence for punishment-induced resurgence. Punishment-induced resurgence can by tested by contingent shocks following the alternative response. The purpose of Experiment 1 was to test whether low-intensity shocks, that do not decrease rate of reinforcement, result in resurgence. Four rats served as subjects. Rats were exposed to three sequential conditions: (a) variable-interval (VI) 30-s food delivery for a lever press (target response); (b) VI 30-s food delivery for a nose poke (alternative response) and extinction of the lever press; (c) VI 30-s reinforcement for a nose poke with superimposed VI 60-s shock delivery. In the final condition, shocks increased gradually from 0.1 to 0.5 mA. Experiment 2 evaluated whether an abrupt introduction of a high-intensity shock would result in resurgence. Three rats served as subjects and were exposed to three sequential conditions: (a) VI 30-s food delivery for a lever press; (b) VI 30-s food delivery for a nose poke and extinction of the lever press; (c) continued VI 30-s reinforcement for a nose poke with superimposed VI 60-s 0.6 mA shock delivery. Resurgence was observed in all subjects, including in situations in which rate of responding, but not rate of reinforcement, decreased. The present study provides additional evidence for punishment-induced resurgence, but future studies are warranted to determine the extent to which punishment can produce resurgence with or without decreases in rates of reinforcement.

Energy density source levels of underwater explosive charges

This paper presents experimental measurements of energy density source levels of small explosive charges for high frequencies to 18 kHz. The experiments were carried out using Signals Underwater Sound (SUS) charges deployed at a deep water site in a coastal fiord north of Vancouver BC. The waveform of an underwater explosion is characterized by a high intensity shock wave signal followed by a series of bubble pulses of decreasing intensity. The bubble pulses dominate the SUS energy density spectrum at frequencies below 1 kHz, but at higher frequencies the spectrum is dominated by the characteristics of the decay envelope of the shock wave signal. The explosive material in SUS charges is packed in a thin cylindrical cavity, resulting in a non-uniform decay envelope with secondary pulses when detonated, and a non-spherical distribution of the radiated sound. The impact of the cylindrical charge shape on energy density source level was investigated experimentally. Data were recorded for SUS deployments that generated in-line and broadside sound propagation to the receiver with respect to the axis of the cylindrical charge. Experimental measurements indicate significant differences in the high frequency SUS energy density spectrum depending upon the SUS and receiver geometry.

Simultaneous laser sintering and embedding of silver nanoparticles for highly flexible embedded electrodes

In manufacturing electronic devices embedded in flexible substrates, persistent technical challenges include process complexity, substrate damage, high surface roughness, and low mechanical flexibility. To address these challenges, this study proposes a method that involves simultaneously sintering silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and embedding them in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates to fabricate flexible embedded electrodes. The proposed technique uses laser-generated high-intensity shock waves to compress Ag NPs coated on a PET substrate heated to its glass-transition temperature. The mechanical impact of the shock wave embeds the Ag NPs into the substrate while simultaneously sintering the particles. The thin-film Ag electrode fabricated using the proposed method exhibited outstanding electrical and mechanical properties. The electrical resistivity measured as low as 7.8 μΩ·cm, with a minimal increase of approximately 5 % after 2000 bending cycles at a bending radius of 1 mm. Furthermore, the fracture strength of the fully embedded electrode, as assessed through adhesive tape-peel tests, significantly surpassed that produced through conventional sintering methods. The proposed method has the potential to revolutionize conventional sintering methods in flexible substrate applications, offering a more efficient and reliable method for fabricating flexible embedded electrodes.

Different mechanisms underlie compulsive alcohol self-administration in male and female rats

BackgroundSex is an important factor in the progression and treatment of alcohol addiction, and therapeutic approaches may have to be tailored to potential sex differences. This highlights the importance of understanding sex differences in behaviors that reflect key elements of clinical alcohol addiction, such as continued use despite negative consequences (“compulsive use”). Studies in experimental animals can help provide an understanding of the role sex plays to influence these behaviors.MethodsLarge populations of genetically heterogeneous male and female Wistar rats were tested in an established model of compulsive alcohol self-administration, operationalized as alcohol responding despite contingent foot shock punishment. We also tested baseline (fixed ratio, unpunished) operant alcohol self-administration, motivation to self-administer alcohol (progressive ratio), and temporal discounting for alcohol reward. In search of predictors of compulsivity, animals were screened for novelty-induced place preference, anxiety-like behavior, pain sensitivity and corticosterone levels. The estrous cycle was monitored throughout the study.ResultsUnpunished self-administration of alcohol did not differ between males and females when alcohol intake was corrected for body weight. Overall, females showed higher levels of compulsive responding for alcohol. Compulsive response rates showed bimodal distributions in male but not in female rats when intermediate shock intensities were used (0.2 and 0.25 mA); at higher shock intensities, responding was uniformly suppressed in both males and females. We also found less steep discounting in females when alcohol was devalued by delaying its delivery. Males exhibited a stronger motivation to obtain alcohol under unpunished conditions, while females showed higher corticosterone levels at baseline. Factor analysis showed that an underlying dimension related to stress and pain predicted compulsivity in females, while compulsivity in males was predicted by a reward factor. We did not find differences in alcohol-related behaviors throughout the various stages of the estrous cycle.ConclusionsOur results suggest that mechanisms promoting compulsivity, a key feature of alcohol addiction, likely differ between males and females. This underscores the importance of considering sex as a biological variable in both preclinical and clinical research, and has potential treatment implications in alcohol addiction.

Comparative analysis of blast load transfer and structural damage in multi-cabin structures during air and underwater explosions

This study presents comprehensive experimental and numerical findings regarding the impact of the fluid medium on blast load transfer and structural damage mechanisms in multi-cabin structures subjected to air and underwater explosions. The experiments demonstrated that the structure primarily underwent a comprehensive dynamic response during an air explosion. In contrast, underwater explosions induced severe localized damage, with fluid properties significantly influencing the shockwave intensity. The observed plastic deformation, shear tearing of the structure, and shock wave characteristics in the experiment were successfully predicted through numerical simulations. Additionally, the numerical simulation unveiled distinct mechanisms of pressure changes in the cabin, attributing air and underwater explosions to transmitted pressure waves and compression shocks of the outer plate, respectively. The high-intensity shock waves generated by underwater explosions and bubble loads sequentially impacted the structure, resulting in more pronounced structural damage compared to the weaker shock wave effect of an air explosion. This study provides valuable insights for comprehending and predicting the response of multi-cabin structures in diverse explosion scenarios.

Multiple impact effects of helium-driven shocks on thin fiber-metal laminates

Fiber Metal Laminates (FMLs) have garnered considerable attention and are increasingly being utilized in the development of protective armors for explosion and ballistic scenarios. While most research has focused on assessing the response of FMLs to single impacts, real battlefield situations often require shielding structures to endure multiple impacts. Thus, this study revolves around the creation of hybrid FMLs designed for shock shielding purposes. The primary focus is on how these laminates withstand repetitive impacts from high-intensity shock waves, aiming to pinpoint the optimal sequence that offers the highest resistance against multiple shock impacts. To establish effective shielding, a multi-layered FML configuration is employed. This configuration incorporates AA6061-T6 facing plates, ballistic-grade synthetic materials like aramid/epoxy ply, and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)/epoxy ply. Additionally, a paperboard/epoxy lamina is introduced to induce functional grading based on layerwise shock impedance mismatches. Shock impact experiments are conducted using a shock tube equipped with helium as the driver gas. Critical shock parameters, including Mach Number, positive impulse, and peak overpressure, are meticulously evaluated. For validation purposes, a numerical model is employed to project the damage profile as a function of radial distance across different laminate sequences. The study unveils that ply deformations are strongly influenced by the arrangement of core layers, particularly the positions of the paperboard and UHMWPE layers within the core structure. To contextualize the findings, the shock impact results obtained from this study are compared with those from prior experiments that employed nitrogen-driven shocks.

Stone Density and Skin to Stone Distance in Non-Contrast Computed Tomography as Prognostic Indicators for the Success of Extra Corporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy in Ureteral Stone Disease

Background Ureteral stones are a major health concern with a worldwide rising prevalence. Ureteral stones formed in the kidney and then descending the ureter commonly manifest themselves as renal colic. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and ureteroscopy are the two primary treatment modalities for the management of symptomatic ureteral calculi, Aim of the Work In this study we tried to assess the prognostic value of patient and stone characteristics in potential candidates for ESWL in ureteral stones. Patients and Methods We studied the records of 66 patients with upper ureteral calculi who underwent ESWL. We considered patients being stone free (SF) or when < 4 mm fragments were detected. Age, gender, skin to-stone distance, maximum stone length, stone Hounsfield units (HU) were explored in uni- and multivariate regression analysis. Results We found that obesity (BMI > 29.3), high stone density (HU) >935, skin to stone distance >10 and presence of ureteral stent were all factors impeding success of treatment. On the other hand, higher shock intensity and number of shocks per session were positive predictors of treatment success. Conclusion It was concluded that the evaluation of patient and stone characteristics pre ESWL can predict the success of treatment for ureteric stones and we recommend thorough evaluation of the parameters before treatment to determine the best treatment modality for each patient. To date there seems to be value in using these variables to aid in better selecting patients for ESWL and thus improving the efficacy of ESWL. Our study was limited by the number of centers and participants. A wider range of participants would probably achieve more efficient results. Further studies on a larger scale would be better to further validate these results.

Conditioned place avoidance in the planaria Schmidtea mediterranea: A pre-clinical invertebrate model of anxiety-related disorders

The objective of the present study was to develop a model of avoidance learning and its extinction in planarians (Schmidtea mediterranea). Based on previous experiments showing conditioned place preference, we developed a procedure to investigate conditioned place avoidance (CPA) using shock as an unconditioned stimulus (US) and an automated tracking system to record the animals’ behaviour. In Experiment 1, we assessed the unconditioned properties of different shock intensities by measuring post shock activity. In two subsequent experiments we investigated CPA using different designs, surfaces as conditioned stimuli (CSs; rough and smooth), and different US intensities (5 V and 10 V). In general, we observed the successful development of CPA. However, CPA was stronger with higher shock intensities, and we found that, in our preparation, a rough surface is best at entering into an association with the shock than a smooth surface. Finally, we also observed extinction of CPA. The evidence of CPA and its extinction in flatworms validates the planaria as a pre-clinical model for the study of avoidance learning, a hallmark of anxiety disorders.

Blast failure and energy analysis of rubber-modified carbon-fiber vinyl-ester composite laminates

Modifications in vinyl ester resins, a popular matrix resin choice in naval applications through rubber additives, are being experimentally investigated in the current study. Toughening of the composite matrix resin using additives has been a popular choice, where it has been postulated that the inherent modifications to the base resin polymer would enhance the overall response of the composite structure to dynamic loadings. This work intends to understand the effect of such matrix modifications on the shock response of composite panels and the failure mechanism of a composite plate subjected to air shock loading. The study comprises material fabrication, resin and composite material characterization, and analysis of composite panels' response and damage evaluation under a range of shock loadings. A shock tube apparatus is used to generate controlled shock on composite laminates with fixed-fixed boundary conditions. In conjuncture, a high-speed 3-D DIC camera system is used to obtain full-field deformation and strain fields on the specimen's back face (furthest from the loading face). Based on the structural response and energy analysis, the effect of rubber modification is quantified and compared with non-modified resin composites, where the change is shown to improve the structural damping and energy dissipation under below-failure shock loadings and further shows relatively limited crack growth under high-intensity shock loadings.

TRPV1 modulation of contextual fear memory depends on stimulus intensity and endocannabinoid signalling in the dorsal hippocampus

The transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) channels have been implicated in the modulation of aversive responses. The endocannabinoid anandamide acts as an endogenous TRPV1 agonist, exerting opposite functions at TRPV1 and type-1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R). Here we tested the hypothesis that hippocampal TRPV1 modulates contextual fear memory retrieval and investigated the influence of the aversive stimulus intensity as well as the role of endocannabinoid signaling. Male C57BL/6J mice were tested for contextual fear memory after low-, moderate-, or high-intensity shock protocols. The selective TRPV1 blockers SB366791 (1-10 nmol) and 6-I-NC (2 nmol) were infused via intra-dorsal hippocampus before the retrieval test session. The local levels of endocannabinoids and Arc and Zif268 mRNAs, involved in synaptic plasticity and memory, were quantified. First, both TRPV1 blockers reduced memory retrieval in animals exposed to moderate or high (but not low) intensity training protocols. In the second series of results, the magnitude of the freezing responses positively correlated with the hippocampal anandamide levels; TRPV1 and CB1R were found co-localized in this brain region; and the CB1R antagonist, AM251, prevented the effects of SB366791. Thus, endocannabinoid signaling possibly mediates the effects of TRPV1 blockers. Finally, inhibition of memory retrieval by TRPV1 blockers increased Arc and Zif268 mRNAs and impaired fear memory reinstatement. In conclusion, the modulation of fear memories by dorsal hippocampal TRPV1 channels may depend on the aversive stimulus intensity and occur via anandamide/CB1 signaling. Moreover, TRPV1 blockers promote Arc and Zif268 transcription, with subsequent attenuation of aversive memory reinstatement.

Saline short-term shock and rapid recovery on anammox performance

Anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) is an environmental-friendly biological nitrogen removal process, which has been developed as a promising technology in industrial wastewater treatment. However, anammox nitrogen removal under high saline conditions still faces many challenges. This study investigated the performance of anammox sludge under saline short-term shock and the strategy of rapid recovery. Salinity concentration, saline exposure time, and NaCl/Na2SO4 ratio were selected as three critical factors for short-term shock. The activity inhibition of anammox sludge were tested by using response surface methodology (RSM). Our results showed that, compared with the NaCl/Na2SO4 ratio, the salinity concentration and saline exposure time were the significant factor causing the anammox inhibition. The addition of glycine betaine (GB) in moderate amounts (0.1–5 mM) was found to help anammox to resist in relative low saline shock intensities (e.g., IC25 and IC50), with the activity retention rate of 94.7%. However, glycine betaine was not worked effectively under relatively high saline shock intensities (e.g., complete inhibition condition). Microbial community analysis revealed that Brocadiaceae accounted for only about 7.6%–13.2% at inhibited conditions. Interestingly, 16S rRNA analysis showed that the abundance of activated Brocadiaceae remarkably decreased with time after high-level saline shock. This tendency was consistent with the results of qPCR targeted hzsA gene. Finally, based on quorum sensing, the anammox activity was recovered to 93.5% of original sludge by adding 30% original sludge. The study realized the rapid recovery of anammox activity under complete inhibition, promoting the development and operation of salt-tolerant anammox process.

Effects of repeated exposure to escalating versus constant punishment intensity on response allocation.

The present experiment investigated the effects of 1) repeated exposures to escalating punishment intensities and 2) repeated exposure to punishment after periods of vacation on response allocation between punished and unpunished responding in three groups of rats. The first group (intensity + vacation) experienced repeated exposures to escalating punishment intensities after a period of vacation (i.e., return to baseline) from punishment. The second group (intensity-only) experienced repeated exposures to escalating punishment intensities without vacation from punishment. The third group (vacation-only) experienced repeated exposures to a constant punishment intensity after a period of vacation from punishment. Results showed that superimposition of punishment on one of two concurrently available responses decreased allocation toward the punished response and increased allocation toward the unpunished response. Furthermore, greater changes in allocation were observed with the introduction of a moderate constant intensity than with the introduction of a low intensity that increased across sessions. Reexposure to punishment had different effects between the groups. Although there was evidence that high shock intensities can enhance the efficacy of lower intensities to shift allocation away from the punished response and toward the unpunished response, there was little evidence of changes in response allocation with reintroduction of punishment after a period of vacation.

Chemical reaction of Ni/Al interface associated with perturbation growth under shock compression

The exothermic reaction of Ni/Al laminates always starts from the interface, and the role of interfacial instability in the shock-induced chemical reaction has not been clarified. This work reports the Richtmyer–Meshkov (RM) instability growth, atomic diffusion, and chemical reaction of Ni/Al interface under shock compression based on atomistic simulations. For shocking from Al to Ni, the interface experiences finite collapse and exhibits weak localized reaction. The diffusion of solid Ni to molten Al will be inhibited due to the formation of NiAl phase, and continuous inter-diffusion occurs with the melting of Ni. For shocking from Ni to Al, a small amount of NiAl structure is formed due to the atomic residue during defect collapse. RM instability growth is observed at higher shock intensity, which significantly promotes the atomic mixing and results in a power-law increase in the number of diffusing atoms. Meanwhile, the chemical reaction propagates rapidly from the vortex to the head of the spike accompanied by the decomposition of many clusters, with the nonlinear development of RM instability. The number and the size of Ni clusters no more satisfy the simple power-law relationship for which we propose an improved power-law distribution. Interestingly, the growth of nanoscale perturbation approximately satisfies the logarithmic law with time, but the linear growth stage is inhibited due to significant inter-diffusion, especially for the small wavelength. Thus, the mixing width and the reaction degree are positively correlated with the initial wavelength in our simulation scale, which is contrary to the RM growth law of the free surface.

Shock response of single-crystal boron carbide along orientations with the highest and lowest elastic moduli

The response of monocrystalline boron carbide to planar shock loading has been investigated using molecular-dynamics simulations, along crystal orientations with the highest and lowest elastic moduli. While shocks of intensity lower than the Hugoniot elastic limit (HEL) generate quasilongitudinal and quasitransverse waves, an elastic precursor trailed by inelastic waves is observed when HEL is exceeded. Bond breakage, accompanied by temperature rise, is observed to be the primary mode of deformation under the inelastic waves. Higher shock intensities (particle velocity, ${U}_{p}>2.5\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{km}/\mathrm{s}$) generate a deformation shock front, which induces loss of shear strength along with a considerable loss of crystalline order. Boron carbide is also revealed to exhibit two distinct deformation regimes. While shear strength increases with ${U}_{p}$ in the first regime $({U}_{p}\ensuremath{\le}2.5\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{km}/\mathrm{s})$, a monotonic reduction is observed in the second $({U}_{p}>2.5\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{km}/\mathrm{s})$. The latter regime is also characterized by a convergence in the shock Hugoniot curves obtained along the two loading directions, indicating that the Hugoniot state of boron carbide may be independent of crystal orientation for ${U}_{p}>2.5\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{km}/\mathrm{s}$. Finally, it is shown that the simulation-derived hydrostat curve presented in this work is coherent with experimental data up to 140 GPa and provides an accurate basis for assessing residual strength of boron carbide under shock conditions.