Demonstration of tailored impact to achieve blast-like loading
Section snippets
Introduction and alternative testing methods
The UCSD Blast Simulator [1] is a US Federal Government-sponsored apparatus that utilizes hydraulic actuators in order to simulate blast-like events (Fig. 1a and b). The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the ability of the Blast Simulator to generate impulsive loading on structures that is similar to blast loading. This is demonstrated through a comparison of a Blast Simulator test, a high fidelity computer simulation, and a field test. This paper describes the two characteristics of
Net hydraulic force
The technology used in the Blast Simulator was developed by MTS Corporation and UCSD. Each impact mass in the Blast Simulator is driven independently based on inputs supplied prior to a test. These inputs control the hydraulic pressures and valve opening times, which ultimately determine the peak forces and load durations applied to the test specimen, from the hydraulic punch. More detailed information about this process, as well as general information about the Blast Simulator, can be found in
Blast Simulator test and finite element simulation
The procedure previously outlined, which calculates impulse demand, is validated through a test that was conducted at the UCSD Blast Simulator in collaboration with Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Inc. This test investigated the response of a prototype stud wall system used as a retrofitting strategy for structures that are vulnerable to blast. Thus, this test includes both the prototype wall as well as an un-grouted masonry wall, which represents an existing, vulnerable, structure (Fig. 4a).
The
Direct comparison to field test
The final validation program at Tyndall Air Force Base consisted of full-scale tests under live explosives representing actual blast pressure-pulses and fireball conditions. Fig. 10a shows the fireball generated from the live explosive test. Fig. 10b shows a suite of different prototype walls just prior to the pressure pulse, and Fig. 10c shows the response of the walls from the impulsive loading.
The loading is shown in Fig. 11, where the field test data have been compared to Blast Simulator
Summary and conclusions
The UCSD Blast Simulator uses high velocity impact to simulate blast-like loading on structures. The presence of a particular elastomer at the front of the impact rams and the tailoring of the hydraulic punch of the pistons are characteristics that are unique to the Blast Simulator. Since the hydraulic punch is not incorporated into other large scale test devices that utilize impact for heavy dynamic loading such as crash sleds, a method for obtaining the impulse delivered from the hydraulic
Acknowledgments
The prototype steel stud wall research was sponsored by the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) under Cooperative Agreement Number DAAD 19-03-2-0036 and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory at Tyndall Air Force Base, managed by SCRA Applied R&D, and executed by Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Inc. This prototype wall study was performed under the direction of Ronald O. Hamburger, Principal Investigator, Dr. Ronald L. Mayes, Project Manager, and Dr. Ady Aviram, Project Engineer.
References (21)
- et al.
Experimental investigation of blast wall panels under shock pressure loading
Int J Impact Eng
(2007) - et al.
A novel method for pulse shaping of Split Hopkinson tensile bar signals
Int J Impact Eng
(2011) - et al.
Non-explosive methods for simulating blast loading of structures with complex geometries
Int J Impact Eng
(2011) - et al.
Characterization of the blast simulator elastomer material using a pseudo-elastic rubber model
Int J Impact Eng
(2013) - et al.
The UCSD blast simulator
(2006) - et al.
Response of conventional steel stud wall systems under static and dynamic pressure
J Perform Constr Facil
(2005) - et al.
Multibody modelling of a side impact test apparatus
Int J Crashworthiness
(1999) - et al.
Laboratory simulation of blast loading on building and bridge structures
Experimental simulations of explosive loading on structural components: reinforced concrete columns with advanced composite jackets
(2006)Advancements in blast simulator analysis demonstrated on a prototype wall structure
(2013)
Cited by (10)
Blast-loading simulators: Multiscale design of graded cellular projectiles considering projectile–beam coupling effect
2023, Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of SolidsAn explicit finite element modelling method for masonry walls under out-of-plane loading
2016, Engineering StructuresCitation Excerpt :This paper presents an explicit finite element (EFE) modelling method, which provides highly stable solutions even after a series of adjacent elements fail and lose their stiffness provided the kinetic energy remains significantly lower than the internal energy in the static problems such as the one attended to in this paper. Although this paper predominantly deals with the static pressure loading normal to the plane of walls, the explicit modelling method formulated herein can be extended to the vehicular impacts and blast loadings on masonry facades that have become a source of concerns in recent times as demonstrated in [7] using experimental and EFE modelling using LS-DYNA. In this paper the formulated EFE modelling is incorporated into ABAQUS/EXPLICIT.
Innovative impact testing machine for enhancing impact related research in Australia
2022, International Journal of Protective StructuresSimulating offset blast loads experimentally using shake-table-generated ground motions: Method development and validation
2020, Structural Control and Health MonitoringBlast resistance and mitigation strategies of structures: Present status and future trends
2019, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Structures and Buildings