Designing Composite Vehicles Against Blast Attack 2007-01-0137

In investigating composite resistance to blast loading, it takes composite design concept, computer simulation and blast testing to complete the task. This project presented a preliminary technique for each category. In composite design concept, small-angle lamination was preferred due to its high delamination resistance to debris impact. In computer simulation, an exponential blast model which matched with real blasts is imposed into LS-DYNA and satisfactory results were obtained. In blast testing, an innovative testing facility based on a shock tube was established and fiber fracture was found to be the primary damage mode in the composite laminates subjected to blast loading. This project presented a preliminary solution for tackling the concerned issue on composite laminates used for resisting blast loading. Future refinement on each category is expected.