Scaling aspects of quadrangular plates subjected to localised blast loads—experiments and predictions

A series of experimental results on clamped mild steel quadrangular plates of different thicknesses (1.6, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 mm) and varying length-to-width ratios (1.0–2.4) subjected to localised blast loads of varying sizes is reported. Disc shaped explosive charges of varying charge diameter-to-plate width ratios (0.2–0.37) and charge heights (1.8–14 mm) are centrally positioned on quadrangular plates to provide impulses resulting in mid-point deflections in the range from two plate thicknesses to central plate tearing. The effects of varying both the loading conditions and the plate geometries on the deformation are described. A modified dimensionless number is presented for the quadrangular plate response when subjected to localised circular blast loading. In addition, numerical predictions are carried out and compared with experiments for a limited selection of plate geometries.