Deformation and Failure in Explosively Loaded Steel Structures
Abstract
Over the period 1993-1996 the Naval Platform Survivability Section of the Australian Department of Defence, Defence Science and Technology Organisation conducted a series of tests which aimed to study the effects of internal explosive loading on welded steel structures with particular emphasis on dynamic response and failure mechanisms in this type of construction. These tests were performed on a combination of different 1m3 steel boxes[1-3], full scale models of ship compartments[4] and eventually live fire tests on the decommissioned Royal Australian Navy, Destroyer Escort HMAS Derwent[5] with the overall objective of improving the survivability of current and future RAN warship to explosive warhead threats. Beyond the requirements of sound ship design for normal operational activities, the design of ship structures to survive explosive threat effects requires detailed knowledge of the complex deformation and failure mechanisms associated with this dynamic loading regime. An understanding of these mechanisms necessitates a study of both cause; the explosive loading of the ship structure, and effect; the structures? response in terms of both deformation and failure. Without this basic understanding of the failure processes a successful programme for the design of ships with enhanced structural survivability is not achievable. A common feature observed in this series of trials was the regular failure of bulkheads at their deck and deckhead boundaries. It was evident that an understanding of both the explosive loading, ie blast physics, and consequent structural response, ie deformation and failure, of these boundaries is an important part of possible damage mitigation in ship structures. Based on these observations an experimental test apparatus has been designed which aims to facilitate the study of the relative performance of alternate bulkhead boundary attachment designs as well as construction techniques and procedures.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA509605
Entities
People
- David Ritzel
- N. M. Burman
- R. H. Grzebieta
- T. G. Turner
Organizations
- Defence Science and Technology Group