Modelling the structural response of GLARE panels to blast load

This paper deals with the structural response of fully-clamped quadrangular GLARE panels subjected to an intense air-blast load using the commercial finite element software, LS-DYNA. A cohesive tie-break algorithm is implemented to model interfacial debonding between adjacent plies. The blast loads was simulated using a ConWep blast algorithm and a multi-material ALE formulation with fluid–structure interaction to determine the performance of each method. Numerical model validation have been performed considering case studies of GLARE panels subjected to spherical explosive charges of C-4, 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 presented and discussed against the performed blast tests.

► A model that predicts the response of fibre metal laminates to blast is validated against experimental data.
► Excellent agreement between analysis and experiment is obtained.
► For blast loaded panels, the ConWep function is more computationally efficient than the multi-material ALE formulation.