Performance of Glare panels subjected to intense pressure pulse loading

A robust and efficient computational model has been developed which is capable of modelling the dynamic non-linear behaviour of Glare panels subjected to blast loadings. High strain rate material characterisation and modelling of interfacial debonding between adjacent sublaminates have been taken into consideration. Numerical model validation have been performed considering case studies of Glare panels subjected to a blast-type pressure pulse for which experimental data on the back face- displacement and post-damage observations were available. Excellent agreement of mid-point deflections and evidence of severe yield line deformation were shown and discussed against the performed blast tests. A further parametric study identified Glare as a potential blast attenuating structure, exhibiting superior blast potential against monolithic aluminium plates. The results were normalised and showed that for a given impulse, Glare exhibited a smaller normalised displacement, outperforming monolithic Aluminium 2024-T3 plates. It was concluded that further work needed to be carried out to take into account the influence of geometry (cylindrical structures), pre-pressurisation effects and boundary conditions.