Physical Mechanisms for Near-Field Blast Mitigation with Fluid Containers: Effect of Container Geometry

Abstract

The use of external fluid containers for reducing the deformation of flat steel targets subjected to near-field explosive blast loading was investigated through experimental testing and numerical simulation. Water-filled containers of varying height and width were assessed. The best performing container provided a 65% reduction in the peak dynamic deformation of the steel target, a significantly greater reduction than that provided by a steel applique panel of equivalent areal density. The container geometry was found to have a significant impact on the result, with differences in deformation of 100% observed for containers with varying dimensions but the same total volume. Numerical simulations performed in ANSYS® AUTODYN® highlighted that the timescale of the loading was too short for container breakup. Hence momentum extraction and evaporation are not considered relevant mitigation mechanisms. The major mitigation mechanisms were found to be shadowing and rarefaction waves.