Shock Loading Response of Solid and Perforated Aluminium Sheets

Shock tube testing is the optimal method to study blast mitigation behaviour of materials in a controlled environment. In the present study, aluminium alloy 6061-T6 sheets of two configurations (solid and perforated) and two thicknesses (3 and 2 mm) were compared. A compressed gas driven shock tube was selected for the experimental testing of the sheets. Numerical simulation of the shock loading impact on the sheets was performed using finite element method, and the input of the shock loading condition was acquired from experimental data. The simulation results were in close agreement with the experimentally tested sheets. The stress, strain, velocity and energy response of the sheets was studied using the numerical simulation of the shock wave impact. It was observed that the thickness and perforations had a significant effect on the structural and energy response of the sheets. The 2 mm thick perforated sheet experienced complete fracture and absorbed the highest energy.