Non-linear transient analysis of a blast-loaded circular plate resting on nonviscous fluid

A new coupled finite element and Hankel integral transform formulation is developed for the non-linear transient analysis of floating thin circular plates subjected to shock loads. Using Kirchhoff thin plate theory, an axisymmetric ring is formulated, which takes into account geometric and material non-linearities as well as strain-rate effects. The fluid pressure field due to the fluid–structural interaction is calculated by solving the integral equations in the context of an element discretization method. Velocity function of the plate is interpolated by nodal velocity using Lagrange polynomials. The time-dependent solution of the coupled fluid–structure system is solved by applying a staggered solution algorithm at each time step in a direct time-integration procedure. To verify the method, results are compared with the hydro code LS-DYNA and good agreement is obtained. Furthermore, the influence of media density on the final deformation is analyzed. It is shown that the damping effect of the fluid reduces the deformation and stress of the plate greatly, especially for thin plates.