Optimising curvature of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer composite panel for improved blast resistance: Finite-element analysis

• 3D dynamic FE scheme with FSI capability is developed to model damage in CFRP panel.
• A radius of curvature of CFRP panel is optimised to improve its blast resistance.
• Discrete deformation modes of CFRP laminate are analysed and their severity explained.

Numerical studies were conducted to investigate the optimum curvature of a carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) panel that would provide an improved blast resistance. A dynamic finite-element (FE) model that incorporates fluid–structure interaction was developed to evaluate the response of these panels to blast in commercial finite-element software ABAQUS/Explicit. Previously reported experimental data by authors were utilised to validate a FE model, where a shock-tube apparatus was utilised to apply a controlled shock loading to quasi-isotropic composite panels with different radii of curvature. A three-dimensional digital image correlation (DIC) technique coupled with high-speed photography was employed to measure out-of-plane deflections and velocities, as well as in-plane strains at the back face of panels. Macroscopic post-mortem analysis was performed to compare the deformation in these panels. The numerical results were compared to the experimental data and demonstrated a good agreement. The validated FE model was further used to predict the optimal curvature of CFRP panel with the aim to improve its blast-mitigation characteristics.

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