Dynamic response of composite shell under axial explosion impact load in tunnel

This paper presents a study on the dynamic response of a capsule-shaped composite metallic shell under axial explosion impact load in a tunnel. The composite shell, which consists of a cylindrical shell and a semi-spherical shell on both ends, is analyzed by experimentation and simulation. The three-dimensional finite element models of the shell and tunnel were established using DYTRAN®, and the simulation and experiment results are highly consistent. The spread trend of shock wave around the shell is analyzed, thus the stress distribution and deformation trend on the composite shell given different shell thicknesses and fixed mode is obtained.

► We do four explosion experiments on the capsule-shaped composite shell in tunnel.
► We model the composite shell and tunnel based on the experiments for simulation.
► The composite shell deformation patterns depend on the tunnel cross-sectional shape.
► The spherical area on composite shell near the ground is sensitive to the explosion.
► The composite shell with different thicknesses and fixed mode is discussed.