Title: Numerical simulation of explosion phenomena

Authors: Norman J. Robertson, Colin J. Hayhurst, Greg E. Fairlie

Addresses: Century Dynamics Limited, 12 City Business Centre, Brighton Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 5BA, UK. ' Century Dynamics Limited, 12 City Business Centre, Brighton Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 5BA, UK. ' Century Dynamics Limited, 12 City Business Centre, Brighton Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 5BA, UK

Abstract: Historically the analysis of explosions has predominantly involved either simplified analytical methods or has required the use of supercomputers for detailed numerical simulations. With the rapid development of computer systems over the last two decades it has become possible to conduct detailed numerical simulations of explosive events on personal computers, significantly increasing the availability of these methods to engineers and scientists. In this paper a brief background of the characteristics of explosions resulting from detonating energy sources is provided; explosions resulting from deflagration processes are not described. The numerical techniques used to simulate the key phenomena, including the detonation and expansion of explosive materials, propagation of blast waves and their interaction with structures are then described. To illustrate the application of these techniques several typical examples of numerical analyses conducted using the AUTODYN software, which is available on personal computers through to supercomputers, are presented.

Keywords: explosion analysis; fluid-structure interaction; FSI; numerical simulation; overpressure; personal computers; blast waves; explosions; simulation; nonlinear transient dynamic analysis; hydrocode; finite element method; FEM; finite difference method; FDM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.1994.062536

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 1994 Vol.7 No.3/4/5/6, pp.316 - 329

Published online: 09 Jun 2014 *

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