Blast actions from high explosives. Studies on their simulation and effects

Abstract

Bombing attacks are one of the most destructive means of the terrorist threat in terms of both human lifes and cultural heritage. The mechanical problem of the effects of a blast on structures, in order to assess their vulnerability and design functioning protections for saving human lifes and preserving historical monuments, is a crucial issue for the present international situation. Here, we introduce a strategy suited for the calculation of the blast actions on structures comparing three different numerical schemes: JWL, CONWEP and TM5-1300. A procedure based upon precise interpolations of the experimental data allows comparison of the above models on simple cases. We simulate first a blast inside Pantheon in Rome, taking into account for the complex pattern of multiple reflected blast waves and the nonlinearities of no-tension materials. Then, we consider the response to an explosion inside a fuselage made of aluminium alloys. In this last case we discuss the opportunity given by cost-effective numerical approaches in designing protections through the development of a new concept of a passive protective device for aircrafts cabins.