Finite-Element Analysis of Fluid-Structure Interaction in a Blast-Resistant Window System
by Jae H. Chung, (Director, Dept. of Civil and Coastal Engineering, Bridge Software Institute, Univ. of Florida, P.O. Box 116580, Gainesville, FL 32611), Gary R. Consolazio, (corresponding author), (Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil and Coastal Engineering, Univ. of Florida, P.O. Box 116580, Gainesville, FL 32611 E-mail: grc@ce.ufl.edu), Robert J. Dinan, (Chief, Engineering Mechanics and Explosive Effects Group, Air Force Research Laboratory, 104 Research Rd., Bldg. 9742, Tyndall AFB, FL 32403), and Stephen A. Rinehart, (Principal Staff Engineer, Air Force Research Laboratory, 104 Research Rd., Bldg. 9742, Tyndall AFB, FL 32403)
Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol. 136, No. 3, March 2010, pp. 297-306, (doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000100)
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| Document type: |
Journal Paper |
| Abstract: |
This paper describes the development of a finite-element model capable of representing a blast-resistant flexible window (flex window) system developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory/Airbase Technologies Division. Computational fluid-structure interaction finite-element simulations are used to develop an improved understanding of the manner in which fluid phenomena, such as air compression and flow, affect the behavior of the flex-window system under blast loading. Compressible airflow interacting with a flexible thin-shell structure of the flex window (transient air-window panel interaction phenomena) is found to significantly influence system performance. The influences of shock wave propagation and fluid venting inside the damping chamber of the flex-window system are quantified and the influences of such phenomena on panel deflections, deformations, and internal forces are presented. |
| Author Keywords: | 
| Blast loading |
| Finite element method |
| Dynamics response |
| Computer models |
| Fluid-structure interaction |
| Full-scale tests |
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