Coupled Euler-Lagrange simulations of metal fragmentation in pipe bomb configurations

This paper details modeling of metal fragmentation of pipe-bomb configurations using the Euler-Lagrange code Zapotec. Zapotec couples the hydrocode CTH with the transient-dynamics finite element code Sierra/SM (also known as Presto) through a step-wise interchange of geometry, state data, and pressure. In this work, three experimental studies of pipe-bomb configurations were simulated using Zapotec, where the metal case was modeled using finite elements and the explosive was modeled with CTH. In the three examples, experimental and simulated debris distributions and early-time debris velocities generally showed excellent agreement. These studies both help build confidence in the use of Zapotec for simulating structural response under shock loadings.