Deformation and failure of blast-loaded stiffened plates

Numerical results for clamped, square stiffened steel plates subjected to b last loading are presented. The finite element formulation, which includes the effects of geometric and material nonlinearities as well as strain rats sensitivity, forms the basis for the numerical analysis. Failure is predic ted using an interactive failure criterion comprising bending, tension and transverse shear. A node release algorithm is developed to simulate the pro gression of rupture. The analysis is continued in the post-failure phase to capture the free flight deformation of the torn plate. The predicted failu re modes for a blast-loaded stiffened plate are presented and compared with previously published experimental data. Furthermore, the results of the nu merical analysis are used to understand the experimentally observed localiz ed tearing of stiffened plates. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.