Modelling fragmentation of a 155 mm artillery shell IED in a buried mine blast event

The shapes of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used in conflicts are complex and take many forms. As device fragmentation and soil interaction must be included to provide accurate system physics, modelling unique IED device, artillery shell, and high explosive (HE) shapes is critical for the successful evaluation of protective structures for soldiers and civilians. Finite element and discrete particle method (DPM) techniques using the explicit non-linear transient finite element software IMPETUS Afea Solver® are documented for a series of studies ranging from a simple cylinder explosion to a complex full vehicle blast. Explored in detail are detonation results of a soil buried M795 artillery shell and its ejecta interaction with the TARDEC Generic Vehicle Hull containing a seated IMPETUS Afea hybrid III 50th percentile dummy. These studies also evaluate sensitivity to nine design variables and structure fragmentation response resulting from element type and the use of a node splitting algorithm.