Scaling dynamic failure: A numerical study

• Scaling of dynamic failure is studied numerically study.
• Two scalable criteria are selected: maximum principal stress and dynamic strain energy.
• Those criteria are alternatives to fracture-mechanics based criteria.
• Dynamic failure, either by explosive loading or ballistic penetration, is scalable.
• Future research should be invested into experimental validation.

Scaling failure in blast loaded structures is considered to be impossible with the known scaling laws when using fracture-mechanics based (fracture toughness) considerations (Jones, 1989). We will show in this research that scaling failure becomes possible when 2 alternative competing criteria are used, namely: maximum normal stress to describe separation (cracking) and a strain energy density-based criterion that describes adiabatic shear failure. Numerical simulations of two test-cases were carried out: Failure of circular clamped plates under close range, air blast loading, and penetration experiments.This study shows that both the prototype and small-scale model undergo scaling for those failure criteria. This study presents a new alternative to the scaling of structural failure under dynamic loading conditions, which is both simple and efficient.