Analysis of foam claddings for blast alleviation

Abstract

An analytical Load-Cladding-Structure (LCS) model is proposed to investigate the blast alleviation behavior of sacrificial foam claddings. The deformation of the foam subjected to blast loading is derived based on shock wave propagation theory. The coupled global response of the protected main structure is taken into consideration in the study. Two non-dimensional parameters for the foam cladding are introduced. It is seen that the maximum deflection of the protected structure subjected to a certain explosive load varies with the two non-dimensional parameters of the foam cladding. Based on the LCS model, the foam cladding can be appropriately designed to achieve structural retrofit against blast loads. The maximum allowable blast load for the structure with the protection of a particular foam cladding can be predicted. It is concluded that the efficiency of the structural retrofit based on foam materials depends on the properties of the blast load, the foam cladding as well as the protected structure.