DEFORMATION AND TEARING OF BLAST-LOADED STIFFENED SQUARE PLATES

Experimental and numerical results for fully built-in stiffened square plates subjected to blast pressure loading are presented. The strain rate-sensitive plates exhibit mode I (large ductile deformation) and m ode II (tensile tearing) failure as the load intensity increases. The numerical analysis is carried out using a finite element formulation w hich incorporates non-linear geometry and material effects as well as strain rate sensitivity. Mode I is predicted well for both maximum def lection and deformation shape. Initiation of mode II failure is predic ted by a maximum strain criterion, but the limited mode II data is ins ufficient for conformation.