Product Overview:
This tutorial explores the simulation of a CEL explosion impacting a composite panel made of steel sheets and an aluminum foam core in Abaqus. Here, both the steel sheets and aluminum foam core are modeled as 3D solid components, while the TNT explosive is also represented as a 3D solid entity. The overall domain utilizes a 3D Eulerian part.

Lightweight sandwich structures, especially those with cellular foam cores, offer a promising approach to enhancing blast resistance. These core structures are extensively studied for their high strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios, along with their superior energy absorption capabilities. The foam’s cellular microstructure allows substantial plastic deformation at a sustained low plateau stress, enabling exceptional blast resistance even under extreme stress, until it eventually collapses or fractures into a more stable form.

For this simulation, steel faces are defined with elastic-plastic properties, accounting for both ductile and shear damage under blast loading. The aluminum foam core is modeled using an elastic material framework combined with a crushable foam model. TNT’s behavior is driven by the JWL equation of state, capturing the mechanical pressure generated by explosive chemical energy release. A dynamic explicit step is used for this high-impact scenario, while the ALE method maintains mesh quality by regenerating it as needed throughout the simulation. A comprehensive general contact algorithm, including specific contact properties, is applied across the model. Each part is assigned relevant boundary conditions, and TNT material is allocated within the Eulerian domain using the volume fraction method. Fine meshing is critical to ensure accurate results.

Upon completion, the simulation provides a comprehensive suite of results, including stress, strain, damage evolution, foam compaction, and failure patterns.