The effect of stiffness at the deformation of steelplates at impulsive blast-loading

Blast loading as an effect of a nearby detonation is a danger to relative lightweight structures of large surface. Examples of this type of structure are ship panels above the water-line and containers. Large plastic deformation of steel-plates at high impulsive blast-loading has been experimentally investigated. The rectangular steel-plates at an aspect ratio of 1:2 were clamped along all edges to a rigid support. Homogenous plates and stiffened plates were tested. The impulsive load was produced by the detonation of 1 kg HE-spheres at scaled distances 0.5 to 1.0 m / kg 1/3 from the plate's center. Contrary to their importance in static loading as well as in relatively slow dynamic loading situations, do the stiffeners not have any positive effect in reducing damage at impulsive loading. The stiffeners buckle or are torn off the plate. The permanent deflection is identical to that of homogeneous plates of identical mass.