Experimental and Finite Element Study on Performance of RC Panels Subjected to Nearby Explosion.

The effectiveness of RC panels in terms of explosion resistance was studied. Three field detonation distances and three masses of Gelatin equivalent to that is typically utilized in weapons were employed for the experiments. In the FE investigation, the CONWEP and Jones-Wilkins-Lee (J-W-L) models were applied. Kevlar, E-glass, and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites were studied for their effects. For the incontact explosion, the panels experienced severe localized damage, debris, and cratering, whereas the most prevalent failure modes for the explosion from 0.5 m were cracking and one-way bending/splitting. Changes in weapon design and internal mechanics can achieve the same result for a highly closed field explosion, thus can help in reducing the need for sensors and lowering weapon development costs. The strain rate raised from 44 to 156 s⁻¹ as the amount of explosive increased but decreased from 156 to 11 s⁻¹ as the explosion distance increased. Simulations using the multi-detonation CONWEP technique correctly anticipated the damage, whereas those using the J-W-L model overestimated it. Peak pressure was significantly influenced by the explosion distance in contrast to the explosive amount. The blast pressure measured on the panel was 479–534 MPa for an incontact explosion and 43.7 MPa when the detonation distance was extended to 0.5 m. In terms of performance against blast loading, CFRP composite outperformed E-glass and Kevlar composite. Compared to when it was employed at the back surface, the CFRP laminate at the panel's front surface was not found to be as successful at reducing splitting damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]