Scaling dynamic failure: A numerical study

Scaling failure in blast loaded structures is considered to be impossible with the known scaling laws when using fracture-mechanics based (fracture toughness) considerations (Jones, 1989). We will show in this research that scaling failure becomes possible when 2 alternative competing criteria are used, namely: maximum normal stress to describe separation (cracking) and a strain energy density-based criterion that describes adiabatic shear failure. Numerical simulations of two test-cases were carried out: Failure of circular clamped plates under close range, air blast loading, and penetration experiments. This study shows that both the prototype and small-scale model undergo scaling for those failure criteria. This study presents a new alternative to the scaling of structural failure under dynamic loading conditions, which is both simple and efficient.