Experimental and computational blast resistance assessment of fiberglass samples

This paper provides the underwater explosion test results for the glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) samples implemented in an explosion chamber of Krylov Science Research Centre. The test data allowed investigating the characteristics of both damage accumulation and failure of the materials considered. The extent of the damage inflicted on the material of the samples has been assessed on three parameters: binder failure, disruption of the fibers, and a shot hole formation. Experiments proved that for the samples manufactured by the infusion method, the most energyconsuming process was the failure of the binder prior to the disruption of the fibers. The computer models have been developed using two FEM-based programs (LS-DYNA and AUTODYN) followed by verification. These models allowed making a detailed assessment of the stress-strain state of the samples in the tests. It has been shown that explosion resistance of the GRP samples according to initiation of the fiber disruption can be assessed by the value of a strain intensity of the sample. The simulation results of underwater explosion effects can be used for analysis of both the stress-strain state and the failure of the constructions made of polymeric composites.