Shock Wave at the Rear Surface of Reinforced Concrete Panel - A Numerical Investigation

Abstract

The utilization of sacrificial walls for safeguarding human life and critical structures presents a captivating subject within the realm of blast resistance design. Sacrificial layers can be strategically positioned in front of structures requiring protection, aiming to absorb the energy generated by blasts and consequently mitigate the impact of shock waves on non-sacrificial structures. The efficiency of shock wave reduction stands as a pivotal criterion in the formulation of such protective barriers. This simulation-based study investigates the characteristics of shock waves behind protective barriers. Numerical models are constructed using the Abaqus Explicit platform, employing the Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) concept to simulate wave propagation within the air medium. The analysis outcomes shed light on the impact of factors such as concrete strength, panel dimensions, and others, on the peak magnitude of shock waves at the rear surface of the sacrificial wall.