Understanding size and boundary effectsin scaled model blasts - plane problems

This contribution addresses model blasting and focuses on size and boundary effects on wave propagation, fracture pattern development and fragmentation in small scale laboratory size specimen. Small cylindrical specimens are centre-line loaded by linear high velocity of detonation explosive charges and detonated.

Using elastic wave propagation theory and fracture mechanics it is shown that the type of boundary conditions which prevail at the outer boundary of the cylinder control the extension of bore-hole cracking and fragmentation within the body of the cylinder. In the case of a composite cylinder with dissimilar mantel and core materials, the level of fracturing and fragmentation is controlled by the delamination of the interface. This, in turn, depends on the relative diameters of the core and the mantel. The most important parameter though is the ratio between the length of the pulse (space-wise or time-wise) and the characteristic dimensions of the models, i.e. in this case the diameters of the core and the mantel.

The theoretical basis for a simplified two-dimensional plane treatment is developed. Simple or composite, thin, plate-like specimens are centrally loaded; whereas the core is always a circle, the mantel can be either a circle or a square.