On the coupling of CFD and CSD methodologies for modeling blast-structure interactions

This paper describes applications of a coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computational Structural Dynamics (CSD) methodology to the simulation of blast waves generated by bare explosive charges in a test facility with rigid and deformable walls. The coupled algorithm combines FEFLO98 (CFD) and MARS3D (CSD) via an embedded approach, where the CSD objects float through the CFD domain. This combination enables an easier and more accurate prediction of structural deformation, cracking and failure under blast loading. Several experiments were conducted to characterize blast load and structural response as a function of charge size, weapon ignition point (nose or tail) and orientation (horizontal or vertical). The numerical simulations helped in understanding the experimental results, some of which were not intuitively understood. Good agreement between the experimental results and the numerical predictions were demonstrated for pressure data, blast loading and the corresponding structural response.