Small Blast Wall

A study on Numerical modelling and simulation of small scale blast wall test models

A Literature Review Report submitted in fulfillment of the partial requirement for
Bachelor of Engineering in
Offshore Engineering
School of Marine Science and Technology
University of Newcastle upon Tyne

By
Enoch, Lee Si Yi
Student No: 130657468

Newcastle University Marine International – Singapore
School of Marine Science & Technology
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
United Kingdom
December 12, 2014

Table of Contents
Abstract 3
Introduction 3
Analysis Method (SDOF) 5
Analysis Method (NLFEA) 7
Past Research 8
Finite Elememt Modeling of Test Panel 13
Finite Element Mesh 14
Modeling of Pulse Pressure 16
Material Properties 16
Conclusion 17
Motivation

Each blast wall is designed to withstand a certain amount of dynamic pressure, usually ranging from 1 to 4 bars with some inevitable deformation. There is no agreed, common basis for determining this rating or an acceptable deformation. In general, industry standard guidelines notes issued by Fire and Blast Information Group (FABIG) and the Steel Construction Institute (SCI) are used to design blast walls system. In addition, Technical Note 5 provides a more in depth guideline on the designing of blast wall to withstand explosion loading.

ANALYSIS METHOD (SDOF)

(Kirk A. Marchand, 2005) and (Biggs, 1964) Addressed that blast load are dynamic load, and ductility is the main parameter in material response, therefore the use of dynamic analysis method is essential in modeling and understanding the response of test specimen under blast

The greatest limitation of this approach (Krauthammer, 1998) attributes to the simple non-linear structural behavior assumptions. One of which is the assumption of elastic-perfectly plastic. Lawver (Lawyer, 2003) discovered another limitation of the SDOF method through his experiments. In his experiments, he presented that equivalent SDOF methods is accurate in predicting specimens behavior for far or small loading, however, this method is incapable of predicting the behavior for close or large loading. He concluded that equivalent SDOF method is unable and not suitable for the prediction of local bending of test specimens web or flange for close or large blast conditions.
ANALYSIS METHOD (NLFEA)

Advancement in technology has reduced solution time for numerical modeling and have further extended modeling capabilities. (Ted Krauthammer, 1999), (Louca LA, 2004) commented that Non-Linear Finite Element Method (NLFEA) is known to be the best form and most accurate numerical algorithm method available for studying specimen’s behavior under blast loading. (Louca LA, 2004) NLFEA method attempts to discretize a continuous structure into smaller elements that can be represented by a displacement function as shown below

x