Response of V-shape plates to localised blast load: Experiments and numerical simulation

The experimental results and numerical simulations of “V” shape plates of different included angles (60°, 90°, 120°, 150° and 180° (flat plates)) subjected to localised blast load are presented in this paper. The results of simplified numerical models, carried out using Ansys/AutoDYN, are validated with experiments for deflection. The specimens are made from Domex 700 steel plates folded along the centre to provide different included angles and a constant projected area of 300×300mm. Geometric scaling, based on the size of the Casspir Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and TM-57 anti-tank mine, is applied to the “V” shape plates to determine stand-off distance and the size of the explosive (PE4) disc used in the experiments. The range of masses of explosive used includes the scaled mass of a TM-57 anti-tank mine to the same ratio of the ground clearance of the Casspir APC using the Hopkinson–Cranz blast scale law. Different masses of explosive are used to provide results ranging from large inelastic deformation of the plate to tearing. A general trend of increasing permanent mid-point deflection is observed for an increase in charge mass at a constant stand-off distance. While the measured impulse does not significantly change, an increase in mid-point deflection is observed with a decrease in stand-off distance for a constant mass of explosive. The results showed that smaller inclusive angles deflect more blast energy resulting in lower mid-point plate deflection. The predictions show encouraging correlation with experimental data for the displacement profile.