Numerical Modeling Approaches for Simulation of Landmine Blast Loading
Ms. Laura Donahue, Martec Limited
Dr. Amal Bouamoul, Defence R&D Canada - Valcartier
Mr. Tim Dunbar, Martec Limited

 

Abstract:
Modern combat forces are increasingly being deployed in scenarios where they are at risk from a variety of landmines. A number of studies are underway in Canada looking at damage inflicted by anti-vehicular landmines in order to design retrofits to protect military vehicles and their occupants. The ability to accurately model the effect of a landmine blast on these targets requires the ability to simulate the effects of moisture content, soil properties and soil overburden. These phenomena must be considered for a range of charge sizes and standoff distances while target-independence is maintained.

Several numerical approaches exist for the simulation of landmine blast loading. These range from simple loading models based on empirical relations to relatively complex solutions using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). In previous studies [1, 2], two CFD multiple-material models were validated against experimental data from DRDC Suffield and DRDC Valcartier landmine trials. The most recent implementation, in the Chinook CFD code, assumes mixed material properties and pressure equilibrium, and is utilized with an explicit HLLC approximate Riemann algorithm to solve the Euler equations. The multiple-material approach allows soils with a range of moisture contents and soil densities to be simulated by specifying the relative volume fractions of each component (air, water, solid).

In the current work, the Chinook code is used to simulate the loading on a complex three-dimensional geometry due to a landmine blast, specifically, the rear suspension of a LAV  armoured personnel carrier. Results are compared with a pressure-based mine loading model developed by DRDC Valcartier. This model uses a pressure time-space distribution to apply the initial loading conditions to a target and is based on the Westine et. al. impulse model [3]. With the pressure model, the pressure transmitted to a structure depends on the lateral distance from the detonation, the standoff distance, the depth of burial, the charge size and type, and the soil density. This modeling approach has shown good agreement with both the impulse model and experimental data.

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