Explicit Finite Element Comparison of the Lower Human Extremity under Blast Load

Oyeka, O., & Williams, L. N. (2012). Explicit Finite Element Comparison of the Lower Human Extremity under Blast Load. Mississippi State University: MSU Library.

Abstract

Most studies on blast explosion focus on a single technique or software. This Thesis directly compares several methods of simulating blast loads using LS-DYNA, ABAQUS and CTH software. The techniques appraised in this thesis include; Jones-Wilkins-Lee (JWL) equation of state (EOS), spherical incident wave formulation, and a direct planar blast load application. In the first section of this study, we analyzed a free air-blast generated by detonating 100 g of composition-4 (C-4). Next, we placed and examined the lower extremity model under the same blast parameters in different coupled and uncoupled scenarios. In the free air-blast study, all three codes gave similar results. The peak over pressure from ABAQUS was the closest in value to the experimentally measured data. In the second section, the JWL EOS method consistently produced higher-pressure response in the lower extremity elements compared to the other methods implemented.