Experiment and Numerical Simulation on the Dynamic Response of Foam-Filled Tubes Under Lateral Blast Loading

The dynamic response and energy absorption performance of foam-filled tubes under lateral external blast loading were investigated experimentally and numerically. A series of blast tests for the foam-filled tubes with different geometric parameters were carried out by the use of the ballistic pendulum system. Experimental results were compared with the numerical simulation results employing the software ABAQUS. The results showed that the finite element (FE) analysis was in good agreement with the experimental data. The effects of the diameter and wall thickness of the outer tube, the TNT explosive charge mass, and the standoff distance on the deformation modes, the blast resistance, and the energy absorption performance of the foam-filled tubes were investigated. Three deformation modes of the foam-filled tubes were observed under the lateral external blast loading, including local plastic deformation, large plastic deformation with an elliptic shape, and the tearing of the outer tube. The result revealed that the introduction of the foam core played a vital role in the deflection and energy absorption capacity of the structure. This study provided effective guidelines for designing foam-filled tubes with high energy absorption efficiency.