Numerical simulation on the interaction of blast waves with a series of aluminum cylinders at near-field

This paper demonstrates the application of numerical simulation in predicting the interaction of blast waves with a series of aluminum cylinders at near-field. The results from the experiments performed by Held [Held M. Impulse method for the blast contour of cylindrical high explosive charges. Propellants Explos Pyrotech 1999;24:17–26] are used as a benchmark for comparison. This numerical simulation, performed using the fluid-structure coupling feature in AUTODYN-3D®, predicts the initial velocities of the aluminum cylinders in the vicinity of the blast field. Results from the numerical simulation yield relatively good agreement with those obtained from experiments, and also provide insight and explanations to some of the surprising results observed in the experiments. An understanding of these results from the experiments is crucial in determining the effects of close-in explosions from high explosive. The paper also includes the study of the momentum transfer to these cylinders when the explosive charge is initiated at two ends simultaneously. The results from this simulation are then compared with a case when it is initiated at two ends with different initiation times. In an effort to investigate the effects of high length-to-diameter ratios on the momentum transfer, simulation for a cylindrical charge with L/D = 3.0 is also included.