Design of Composite Vehicle Structures and Armors against Blast Attacks

Although there are some analytical tools available in the literature, they are not necessary aiming at blast survivability designs. Although there are some composite structures and armors available in the market, they are not necessary of optimal designs. There is still a room to improve the analytical tools and a way to achieve optimal composite designs. This proposed project is to develop a multi-functional blast model and to formulate a numerically accurate and computationally efficient finite element code. With the incorporation of the blast model into the finite element code, the analytical tool will be used to design composite structures based on micro-macro topology controls. As all analytical tools require verification and all simulation results require validation, an innovative experimental technique will be required to complete the optimization process of the composite designs. The innovative technique is based on a shock tube. With slight modification, the shock tube has been converted into a laboratory blast testing facility in Phase I project. It will be extended to applications including debris impact and crash impact associated with the blast attacks in Phase II project. Once an optimal composite structure is completed, it will be subjected to field blast test for final verification.