Title: Development of a blast event simulation process for multi-scale modelling of composite armour for lightweight vehicles

Authors: John P. Kim; Nickolas Vlahopoulos; Geng Zhang

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA ' NA&ME Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA ' Michigan Engineering Services, LLC, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, USA

Abstract: This paper presents the development of a multi-scale simulation process for modelling the response of a vehicle with composite armour to the blast loads from an explosive threat. The new process can be used for improving the blast resistant capabilities of the composite armour by configuring its properties at the micro-level. A Blast Event Simulation sysTem (BEST), for conducting a complete sequence of explosive simulations, comprises one of the two main foundation components of the new development. The Micromechanics Analysis Code (MAC) comprises the second main foundation component. The development of the new multi-scale simulation capability and an associated case study are presented.

Keywords: lightweight vehicles; survivability; blast event simulation; anthropometric test device; multi-scale modelling; composites; matrix–fibre configuration; composite armour; military vehicles; explosive threat; explosives; vehicle design; vehicle armour; blast loads; micromechanics analysis; vehicle safety.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2013.050844

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2013 Vol.61 No.1/2/3/4, pp.157 - 176

Received: 25 Jan 2011
Accepted: 11 Nov 2011
Published online: 12 Apr 2013 *

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