Blast response of bioinspired nacre-like staggered composite plates combined with steel and polyurea

•Four types of steel-polyurea composite plates with equal surface density and different number of layering were designed as nacre bionic structures.•The reliability of the numerical simulation model of the staggered composite plate (SCP) was confirmed by experimental verification.•The failure and energy absorption characteristics of SCPs with various configuration were obtained.•The failure toughening mechanisms were revealed by a modified shear-lag model.