Experimental and numerical analysis of dynamic failure of welded aluminium alloy plates under air blast loading

The paper presents experiments and finite element simulations of welded aluminium-alloy 5083-H111 plates under near-field air-blast loadings to examine their dynamic plastic deformation and failure. The material degradation takes place in the heat-affected zone affecting the failure mode of aluminium plates. Five specimens are assessed, one bare plate and four butt-welded plates. The effect of the explosive charge-plate distance and the weld seam on the structural dynamic response is evaluated. The scenario could represent an air blast action on the superstructure of aluminium-alloy vessels. The experimentally obtained deformation and failure shapes of specimens show agreement with the simulations performed by the ABAQUS finite element solver. Moreover, the finite element analysis discusses the structural deformation and rupture process of the welded aluminium alloy plates under air-blast loading and their energy transmission and absorption. The present study reveals the impact behaviour of the welded aluminium plates in contrast to the steel plates.