Numerical study on blast responses of rubberized concrete slabs using the Karagozian and Case concrete model

Rubberized concrete is a protective structural material with wide prospects for application owing to its superior energy dissipation capacity. In this investigation, to predict the blast responses of rubberized concrete slabs, all parameters in the original Karagozian and Case concrete (KCC) model, which is designated as MAT72REL3 in LS-DYNA, were analysed. Modifications were made to the damage factors and strain rate effect to satisfy the mechanical properties of rubberized concrete. The study verified the feasibility of the modified KCC model through an experimental example to capture the blast responses of rubberized concrete slabs under blast loads. An appropriate erosion criterion corresponding to tensile damage was utilised for normal and rubberized concrete. The numerical results were compared with experimental data from the literature to verify the correctness of the numerical model. A paramedic study was also conducted to investigate the effect of boundary conditions. The results demonstrated that the blast resistance of rubberized concrete is superior to that of normal concrete, regardless of the type of support.