Experimental analysis of fluid-filled aluminium tubes subjected to high-velocity impact

Hydrodynamic ram (HRAM) is a phenomenon that occurs when a high-energy object penetrates a fluid-filled container. The projectile transfers its momentum and kinetic energy through the fluid to the surrounding structure increasing the risk of catastrophic failure and excessive structural damage. It is of particular concern in the design of wing fuel tanks for aircraft since it has been identified as one of the important factors in aircraft vulnerability. For the present work, water-filled aluminium square tubes (6063-T5) were subjected to impact by steel spherical projectiles (12.5 mm diameter) at impact velocities of 600–900 m/s. The aluminium tubes were filled at different volumes to study how an air layer inside the tank might influence the impact behaviour. The test boxes were instrumented with five strain gauges and two pressure transducers. The formation process of the cavity was recorded with a high-speed camera. This work presents the results of these tests.     

Numerical modelling of the hydrodynamic ram phenomenon

Hydrodynamic ram (HRAM) is a phenomenon that occurs when a high-kinetic energy object penetrates a fluid-filled container. The projectile transfers its momentum and kinetic energy through the fluid to the surrounding structure, increasing the risk of catastrophic failure and excessive structural damage. This is of particular concern in the design of wing fuel tanks for aircraft since it has been identified as one of the important factors in aircraft vulnerability. In the present paper, the commercial finite-element code LS-DYNA has been used to simulate an HRAM event created by a steel spherical projectile impacting a water-filled aluminium square tube. Two different formulations (ALE and SPH) are employed to reproduce the event. Experimental tests which indicate the pressure at different points of the fluid, displacement of the walls and cavity evolution for different impact velocities are compared with the numerical results in order to assess the validity and accuracy of both ALE and SPH techniques in reproducing such a complex phenomenon.     

Experimental study of perforation and cracking of water-filled aluminum tubes impacted by steel spheres

Water-filled aluminum tubes were subjected to impact by six steel spherical projectiles of different diameters at impact velocities of 40–200 m/s. The effects of the diameter of the steel projectiles and of the material properties of the tubes on cracking and perforation were discussed. Water decreased the wall strength of the aluminum alloy tubes, and the impact velocity at which a steel projectile first passes through the tube wall decreased with increasing diameter of the steel projectile. Using the velocity at which the steel projectile perforates the tube wall, empirical equations of the energies required to perforate the tube wall were derived. Also, the energy balance in the steel projectile during a collision is discussed referring to the pressure history in the filled water and the velocities of the steel projectile before and after collision.     

Experimental study of CFRP fluid-filled tubes subjected to high-velocity impact

In recent years, vulnerability against high-velocity impact loads has become an increasingly critical issue in the design of composite aerospace structures. The effects of Hydrodynamic Ram (HRAM), a phenomenon that occurs when a high-energy object penetrates a fluid-filled container, are of particular concern in the design of wing fuel tanks for aircraft because it has been identified as one of the important factors in aircraft vulnerability. The projectile transfers its momentum and kinetic energy through the fluid to the surrounding structure, increasing the risk of catastrophic failure and excessive structural damage. For the present work, water-filled CFRP square tubes were subjected to an impact of steel spherical projectiles (12.5 mm diameter) at impact velocities of 600–900 m/s. The CFRP tubes were filled to different volumes to examine how volume might influence the tank behavior. The composite test boxes were instrumented with six strain gauges and two pressure transducers, and the formation process of the cavity was recorded using a high-speed camera. The damage produced in the tubes was then analyzed, and differences were found according to the testing conditions. This work presents the results of these tests.     

The transient responses of two-layered cylindrical shells attacked by underwater explosive shock waves

An approximation solution is introduced for the dynamic response of a two-layered cylindrical shell of circular cross-section subjected to an underwater explosive shock wave. The solution is obtained within the framework of the Flugge thin shell theory and the reflected-afterflow-virtual-source (RAVS) method is used to account for the fluid–structure interaction. Detailed numerical computations are carried out, in dimensionless form, for the cases of infinitely long two-layered cylindrical shells. Time histories of nondimensional radial velocity, mid-surface strain, 0th mode radial displacement and 1st mode radial velocity are presented in graphical form and the effects of elastic modulus, shell radius and thickness on the transient response characteristics of the shells are investigated.     

Dynamic response and damage evolution in composite materials subjected to underwater explosive loading: An experimental and computational study

The effect of underwater shock loading on an E-Glass/Epoxy composite material has been studied. The work consists of experimental testing, utilizing a water filled conical shock tube and computational simulations, utilizing the commercially available LS-DYNA finite element code. Two test series have been performed and simulated: (1) a reduced energy series which allowed for the use of strain gages and (2) a series with increased energy which imparted material damage. The strain gage data and the computational results show a high level of correlation using the Russell error measure. The finite element models are also shown to be able to simulate the onset of material damage by both in-plane and delamination mechanisms.     

Underwater blast response of free-standing sandwich plates with metallic lattice cores

The underwater blast response of free-standing sandwich plates with a square honeycomb core and a corrugated core has been measured. The total momentum imparted to the sandwich plate and the degree of core compaction are measured as a function of (i) core strength, (ii) mass of the front face sheet (that is, the wet face) and (iii) time constant of the blast pulse. Finite element calculations are performed in order to analyse the phases of fluid–structure interaction. The choice of core topology has a strong influence upon the dynamic compressive strength and upon the degree of core compression, but has only a minor effect upon the total momentum imparted to the sandwich. For both topologies, a reduction in the mass of the front (wet) face reduces the imparted momentum, but at the expense of increased core compression. Conversely, an increase in the time constant of the blast pulse results in lower core compression, but the performance advantage over a monolithic plate in terms of imparted momentum is reduced. The sandwich panel results are compared with analytical results for monolithic plates of mass equal to that of (i) the sandwich panel and (ii) the front face alone. (Case (i) represents a rigid core while (ii) represents a core of negligible strength.) For most conditions considered, the sandwich results lie between these limits reflecting the coupled nature of core deformation and fluid–structure interaction.     

Configuration design of a lightweight torpedo subjected to an underwater explosion

The response of a lightweight torpedo when subjected to an underwater explosion (UNDEX) is an important criterion for multidisciplinary design. This paper investigates the effect of structural stiffeners on the performance of a lightweight torpedo. The finite element package ABAQUS was used to model the UNDEX and the fluid–structure interaction (FSI) phenomena, which are critical for accurate evaluation of torpedo stress levels. The pressure wave resulting from an underwater explosion was modeled using similitude relations and it was assumed to be a spherical wave. Various explosive weights and explosion distances were explored to determine the critical distance both for an un-stiffened and a stiffened torpedo. Once it was established that the stiffened torpedo performed better under explosive pressure loads, various configurations were studied to determine the optimal number of ring and longitudinal stiffeners. A final configuration was obtained for the torpedo that had minimum weight and was least sensitive to small manufacturing variations in the dimensions of the stiffeners. This paper presents details of the torpedo and fluid models and the finite element analysis method for FSI.     

Dynamic crushing of a one-dimensional chain of type II structures

The development of an analytical model based on a ‘bar–hinge’ idealisation is described. It is used to investigate the structural response of a one-dimensional chain of components each constructed from a pair of slightly bent elastic–plastic struts under axial impact loading. Each component (a typical type II structure) in the chain is modelled as four axially compressible, elastic–plastic, straight bars of infinite bending rigidity connected to each other by elastic–plastic hinges of finite length. A new approach to formulate the constitutive relation between the generalised force and displacement of the bars and hinges is developed. A self-contact algorithm is used for intra-component contact simulation. The ‘bar–hinge’ model is validated using the results from finite-element simulations using ABAQUS. Good agreement is achieved. The analytical model was then used to investigate the crushing features of the chain structure. The effects of the number of the components in the chain and the crookedness angle of the components on the crushing behaviour were studied. It was found that collapse of the components in the chain occurs at the proximal end of the chain first and that the component at the fixed distal end will also collapse at some later time. The single component structure is more ‘inertia sensitive’ than a chain structure of more than two components.     

Influence of uncertainties on the response and reliability of self-adaptive composite rotors

Advanced composite structures are becoming increasingly popular because of their high specific strength and stiffness, as well as ability to provide improved performance through passive morphing via intrinsic bend–twist deformation coupling. Self-adaptive composite structures tend to be more susceptible to geometric, material, and loading uncertainties because of their complex configuration, manufacturing process, and dependence on fluid–structure interaction (FSI) response. The objective of this work is to quantify the effects of material, geometric, and loading uncertainties on the response of self-adaptive composite propellers and overall system reliability. A fully-coupled, 3-D boundary element method–finite element method is used to compute the dynamic FSI response. Variability in propeller performance is estimated by considering variations in operating conditions, as well as blade geometry and stiffness. Modeling uncertainties are considered by employing various mechanistic-based failure initiation models. Random variations in material strengths are implemented and an estimate of the structural reliability is determined. The results indicate that adaptive composite structures that depend on FSI are more sensitive to natural, random variations than equivalent rigid, isotropic structures. Therefore, it is necessary to quantify the effects of material, geometric, and loading uncertainties on the responses, safe operating envelopes, and reliability of self-adaptive composite structures.     

Modelling the structural response of GLARE panels to blast load

This paper deals with the structural response of fully-clamped quadrangular GLARE panels subjected to an intense air-blast load using the commercial finite element software, LS-DYNA. A cohesive tie-break algorithm is implemented to model interfacial debonding between adjacent plies. The blast loads was simulated using a ConWep blast algorithm and a multi-material ALE formulation with fluid–structure interaction to determine the performance of each method. Numerical model validation have been performed considering case studies of GLARE panels subjected to spherical explosive charges of C-4, for which experimental data on the back face-displacement and post-damage observations were available. Excellent agreement of mid-point deflections and evidence of severe yield line deformation were presented and discussed against the performed blast tests.     

An analytical model for perforation of ceramic/multi-layered planar woven fabric targets by blunt projectiles

An analytical model has been developed in this paper for perforation of ceramic/multi-layer woven fabric targets by blunt projectiles. In previous Chocron–Galvez analytical model the semi-angle of ceramic conoid is constant and the strain rate effects are also neglected in the stress–strain behavior of the yarns and only strain energy absorbed by the yarns is considered.     

Viscous potential flow analysis of electrohydrodynamic Kelvin–Helmholtz instability with heat and mass transfer

Viscous potential flow analysis of Kelvin–Helmholtz instability with heat and mass transfer in presence of a horizontal electric field has been carried out. Stability criterion is given by a critical value of relative velocity of two fluids as well as critical value of the applied electric field. Various graphs with respect to physical parameters, such as wave-number, viscosity ratio, ratio of dielectric constants of two fluids, heat transfer coefficients have been drawn and effect of various parameters have been described.     

Fluid–structure Interaction Modeling of Aneurysmal Conditions with High and Normal Blood Pressures

Hemodynamic factors like the wall shear stress play an important role in cardiovascular diseases. To investigate the influence of hemodynamic factors in blood vessels, the authors have developed a numerical fluid–structure interaction (FSI) analysis technique. The objective is to use numerical simulation as an effective tool to predict phenomena in a living human body. We applied the technique to a patient-specific arterial model, and with that we showed the effect of wall deformation on the WSS distribution. In this paper, we compute the interaction between the blood flow and the arterial wall for a patient-specific cerebral aneurysm with various hemodynamic conditions, such as hypertension. We particularly focus on the effects of hypertensive blood pressure on the interaction and the WSS, because hypertension is reported to be a risk factor in rupture of aneurysms. We also aim to show the possibility of FSI computations with hemodynamic conditions representing those risk factors in cardiovascular disease. The simulations show that the transient behavior of the interaction under hypertensive blood pressure is significantly different from the interaction under normal blood pressure. The transient behavior of the blood-flow velocity, and the resulting WSS and the mechanical stress in the aneurysmal wall, are significantly affected by hypertension. The results imply that hypertension affects the growth of an aneurysm and the damage in arterial tissues.     

Numerical analysis of blast-induced wave propagation using FSI and ALEmulti-material formulations

As explosive blasts continue to cause casualties in both civil and military environments, there is a need to identify the dynamic interaction of blast loading with structures, to know the shock mitigating mechanisms and, most importantly, to identify the mechanisms of blast trauma. This paper examines the air-blast simulation using Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) multi-material formulation. It will explain how the fluid–structure interaction (FSI) can be simulated using a coupling algorithm for the treatment of the fluid as a moving media by a moving mesh using ALE formulation and how the structure is treated on a deformable mesh using a Lagrangian formulation. To validate the numerical approach, as well as to prove its ability to simulate complicated scenarios, comparison of three distinct blast scenarios, i.e., blast from C-4 and TNT in open space and blast on a circular steel plate, with the experimental data was performed. The predicted numerical results match very well with those of experiments. This computational approach is able to accurately predict the relevant aspects of the blast–structure interaction problem, including the blast wave propagation in the medium and the response of the structure to blast loading.     

On the coupling between fluid flow and mesh motion in the modelling of fluid–structure interaction

Partitioned Newton type solution strategies for the strongly coupled system of equations arising in the computational modelling of fluid–solid interaction require the evaluation of various coupling terms. An essential part of all ALE type solution strategies is the fluid mesh motion. In this paper, we investigate the effect of the terms which couple the fluid flow with the fluid mesh motion on the convergence behaviour of the overall solution procedure. We show that the computational efficiency of the simulation of many fluid–solid interaction processes, including fluid flow through flexible pipes, can be increased significantly if some of these coupling terms are calculated exactly.     

Dynamic impedance of pile and caisson foundations

Abstract

The dynamic impedance of a pile or caisson foundation embedded in a homogeneous visco elastic half‐space was evaluated using the hybrid method. The soil‐foundation system is partitioned into a near‐field and a far‐field by choosing a cylindrical interface passing through the soil region very close to the foundation. The near‐field is modeled by the finite element method while the far‐field is characterized by a frequency‐dependent impedance matrix through the continuum approach. From the results presented, it is shown that the proposed method is very effective and can be widely used for parameter studies in engineering applications.     

Synthesis of crystalline metal nitride and metal carbide nanostructures by sol–gel chemistry

Attention toward nanosized metal nitrides and carbides is rapidly increasing thanks to their chemical characteristics that make them as valid and sustainable alternatives to noble metals in catalysis and to air-sensitive metals or oxides for applications under harsh conditions. They are mostly used as bulk phase or micron sized powders, due to an intrinsic difficulty to synthesize them as nanoparticles in a systematic and scalable fashion. However, nanosized metal nitrides and carbides could exhibit improved performances, e.g. in catalysis due to a higher surface area, and can be shaped more easily than corresponding larger grains for further specific applications. Recently, sol–gel chemistry has closed this gap and now enables the simple, cheap, and sustainable production of metal nitride and carbide nanoparticles.In the present review we give an overview on recent sol–gel based pathways for the synthesis of metal nitride and carbide nanoparticles, believing that a better knowledge of the potentialities of these still hardly touched materials stimulates research interest and applications.     

Reliability-based design and optimization of adaptive marine structures

The objectives of this work are to quantify the influence of material and operational uncertainties on the performance of self-adaptive marine rotors, and to develop a reliability-based design and optimization methodology for adaptive marine structures. Using a previously validated 3D fluid–structure interaction model, performance functions are obtained and used to generate characteristic response surfaces. A first-order reliability method is used to evaluate the influence of uncertainties in material and load parameters and thus optimize the design parameters. The results demonstrate the viability of the proposed reliability-based design and optimization methodology, and demonstrate that a probabilistic approach is more appropriate than a deterministic approach for the design and optimization of adaptive marine structures that rely on fluid–structure interaction for performance improvement.     

Dynamic response analysis of a building structure subjected to ground shock from a tunnel explosion

Dynamic responses of a multi-storey building without or with a sliding base-isolation device to ground shock induced by an in-tunnel explosion are numerically analyzed in this paper. The effect of an adjacent tunnel in between the building and the explosion tunnel, which affects ground shock propagation, is also considered in the analysis. Different modeling methods, such as the eight-node iso-parametric finite element and mass-lumped system, are used to establish the coupling model consisting of the two adjacent tunnels, the surrounding soil medium with the Lysmer viscous boundary condition and the multi-storey building with or without the sliding base-isolation device. In numerical calculations, a continuous friction model, which is different from the traditional Coulomb friction model, is adopted to improve the computational efficiency and reduce the accumulated errors. Some example analyses are subsequently performed to study the response characteristics of the building and the sliding base-isolation device to ground shock. The effect of the adjacent tunnel in between the building and the explosion tunnel on the ground shock wave propagation is also investigated in the study. The final conclusions based on the numerical results will provide some guidance in engineering practice.