Scaling the response of circular plates subjected to large and close-range spherical explosions. Part II: Buried charges

This paper discusses scaling of the dynamic response of clamped circular plates subjected to close-range, large spherical blast loadings that are flush buried in dry sand. As a continuation of part I which dealt with air blasts, similarity is obtained by using replica scaling for all geometrical parameters, while the blast effect is scaled by using the Hopkinson scaling law. In the case of buried charges, both the depth of burial and nature of the soil have a significant effect on the energy which is directed towards the target by funneling and magnifying it upwards. This paper addresses the effect of flush burial on the target's dynamic response compared to a target loaded by similar air-blast energy. We present numerical and experimental results from a series of controlled explosion experiments. The experimental and numerical results agree quite well, so that the main outcome of this study is that scaling can be successfully applied to assess the dynamic response of circular steel armor plates subjected to close-range, buried large spherical explosions. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.