Transient response of steel plates subjected to close proximity explosive detonations in air

The permanent deformation and failure of steel plates subjected to air-blast loading has been the subject of numerous investigations. The transient deformation of such intensely loaded plates has been difficult to obtain due to experimental difficulties. In recent times, high speed imaging and digital image correlation techniques have enabled reliable non-contact measurement of deformation and strain in various applications, such as tensile testing and far-field impulsive loading response of large plated structures. This paper investigates the transient deformation and strain evolution of a deformable plate subjected to air blast loading arising from explosives detonated in close proximity to the plates. The experiments made use of a blast pendulum to measure the impulse imparted on the plates. The pendulum modifications required to accommodate the high speed camera system are described. Results from blast experiments are used to show the influence of stand-off distance on the transient response and permanent deformation of thin steel plates subjected to air blast loading. The difference between maximum transient mid-point deflection and final deformation decreased with an increase in charge mass and global deformation.