Scaling of the deformation histories for clamped circular plates subjected to blast loading by buried charges

Dimensional analysis is performed to develop the appropriate parameters to guide the design of a set of scaled experimental configurations. Using the scaled experimental configurations, buried blast loading of scaled small structures is performed by detonation of scaled explosive charges buried in saturated sand. To assess the quality of the predictions for the response of the scaled structures, high-speed stereo-vision system is employed to quantify the transient dynamic plate response over a substantial portion of the structure. Results are reported for surface deformations during the blast loading process, including 3D surface displacements, surface strain components, surface velocity and acceleration components for the out-of-plane displacement field and surface strain rate components. Data presented in the form of scaled measurement for both plates indicates that both (a) temporal variations and (b) spatial variations are in very good agreement throughout the measurement period. Even for conditions where the buried explosive is quite small and the depth of burial is shallow, results clearly show that scaling of small specimen buried blast loading experiments can be applied to quantitatively predict the dynamic response of larger structures.

► Dimensional analysis is performed to develop scaled experimental configurations.
► Buried blast loading is performed by detonation of small scaled explosive charges.
► High-speed stereo-vision system is to quantify transient dynamic plate response.
► Data indicate that temporal and spatial variations are in very good agreement.
► Scaling of small specimen can be applied to quantitatively predict.