Linear and non-linear dynamic response of sandwich panels to blast loading

The problem of the dynamic response of sandwich flat panels exposed to blast loadings is addressed. The sandwich model includes a number of non-classical effects such as the anisotropy and heterogeneity of face sheets, transverse orthotropy of the core layer, the geometrical non-linearities considered in the von Karman sense, as well as the initial geometric imperfections. As concerns the blast pulses considered in this analysis, these are due to either an underwater/in-air explosion, or are due to a pressure wave traveling across the panel span. Implications of the explosive charge, stand-off distance, directionality property of face sheets material, damping ratio, geometric nonlinearity, initial geometric imperfection, and of the characteristics of the blast, on dynamic response and dynamic magnification factor are put into evidence via a parametric study, and pertinent conclusions are outlined. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.