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Study of the characteristics of fuel spurt caused by high-velocity fragment impact the fuel tank
CHEN Anran, CHEN Haihua, YU Yao, BIAN Fuguo, YU Haojie, LI Xiangdong
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0100
Abstract:
When a high-velocity fragment impacted the fuel tank, hydrodynamic ram occurred. The fuel spurt caused by hydrodynamic ram may result in the ignition or even explosion of the fuel tank, thus threatening the survivability of the high-value target. To study the characteristics of fuel spurt caused by the hydrodynamic ram event, an experiment of a high-velocity fragment impacting a simulated fuel tank was conducted, and the characteristics of velocity and spatial distribution of the fuel spurt were tested and analyzed. In order to quantitatively describe the initial motion velocity of the fuel spurt and the attenuation process of its movement in the air, the specific volume unit within the fuel was defined as fuel mass. The concepts of initial motion velocity v0 and dispersion velocity of the fuel mass were proposed. The process of fuel mass spurting from the penetration orifices was simplified into three stages: (1) the fuel mass was about to spurt out; (2) the fuel mass spurted from the penetration orifices; (3) the fuel mass was moving in the air and gradually became atomized. On this basis, the theoretical model of the distribution of fuel spurt was established. According to the cracks at the penetration orifices and the shape change of the material at the edge of the orifices, the value of the coefficient of discharge was classified, and the influence of the distribution of pressure in the fuel was also taken into account during the calculation. When v0≤737 m/s, the range of Cv is from 0.60 to 0.70. When 737 m/s<v0<906 m/s, Cv ranges from 0.25 to 0.55. When v0≥906 m/s, Cv ranges from 0.75 to 0.95. The research showed that the average error between the calculation results of the fuel spurt axial distance and the experimental results was less than 15%. The error between the calculation results of the corrected theoretical model of radial distance and the experimental results was about 5%. The calculated results of the theoretical model were in good agreement with the experimental results.
Non-contact measurement of BOS shock wave overpressure based on structure-aware variational optical flow method
ZHOU Zhigang, WANG Changli, WU Zhenghao, XIAO Changyan, KE Ming, ZHANG Xin, QIAN Bingwen
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0269
Abstract:
Background-oriented schlieren (BOS) imaging, owing to its non-contact nature and high spatiotemporal resolution, has become an important measurement technique in field experiments of explosion mechanics. However, due to strong illumination interference, scattering from detonation products, and the inherently weak and morphologically complex shockwave signature, automatic and accurate extraction of the shock front from BOS images remains highly challenging. To address this issue, we propose a structure-aware weighted variational optical flow method (SAW-VF) for robust quantification of the high-speed transient displacement field of shockwaves. The proposed approach minimizes a purpose-designed energy functional. Specifically, the data fidelity term combines a first-order photometric constraint with a second-order Hessian-invariance constraint, substantially enhancing sensitivity to the local line-like geometric features of shock fronts. In addition, a spatially adaptive weighting mechanism driven by normalized cross-correlation (NCC) is introduced to dynamically suppress the adverse influence of severely distorted regions on the estimation. Moreover, an anisotropic regularization term inspired by Perona-Malik diffusion is employed to effectively preserve the sharp motion boundaries of the shock front. To cope with large displacements, the optimization is embedded in a coarse-to-fine Gaussian pyramid framework. Building upon the estimated displacement field, we further develop a physics model–driven shock-front fitting method, in which the shock front is accurately extracted via maximum-inlier-set optimization coupled with shockwave dynamical constraints. Finally, the shock radius and propagation velocity are estimated using geometric calibration and temporal information, and the overpressure is quantitatively determined in a non-contact manner based on the Rankine-Hugoniot theory. In TNT explosion experiments, the proposed method achieves a relative error of 0.93%—9.85% with respect to pressure sensor measurements, demonstrating its effectiveness and accuracy for non-intrusive overpressure measurement of shockwaves.
Mechanical behavior of unidirectional fiber reinforced polymer based on micromechanical model
PEI Kelei, LI Zhiqiang, HE Hangyu, ZHENG Shaoqiu, SU Yanan
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0222
Abstract:
Although macroscopic finite-element simulations based on classical composite failure criteria such as Hashin’s can account for macroscopic damage mechanisms such as fiber fracture, matrix damage, and delamination, these approaches are unable to represent microscopic damage mechanisms within carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), particularly interfacial debonding between fibers and the matrix. To overcome this limitation, a multiphase micromechanical model was developed that explicitly incorporates distinct constituent phases-fiber, matrix, and interface. This model integrates multiple damage mechanisms such as fiber fracture, matrix failure, and interfacial debonding, enabling a more granular analysis of damage initiation and progression. Periodic boundary conditions were applied to the model to ensure kinematic consistency and mechanical representativeness. A mesh-convergence study was subsequently carried out on the basis of the predicted elastic moduli of CFRP in various material directions, leading to an optimized discretization strategy that balances accuracy and computational cost. Comprehensive validation was performed by comparing the model-predicted stress-strain responses with experimental data obtained from unidirectional CFRP (UD CFRP) under a range of loading conditions, including transverse tension and compression, longitudinal tension and compression, and in-plane and out-of-plane shear. The damage-evolution processes under these representative loading paths were systematically analyzed. The results indicate that the relative errors in peak stress and failure strain between simulations and experiments are less than 5 %. Moreover, the crack-propagation paths predicted by the model show strong agreement with observations from scanning electron microscopy, thereby confirming the accuracy of the proposed microstructure-aware micromechanical modeling framework. Furthermore, the model successfully captures the detailed damage evolution of UD CFRP under various loading scenarios. Under transverse tensile loading, damage is initiated by interfacial debonding, followed by plastic deformation and eventual failure of the matrix near debonded regions. In contrast, under transverse compression, interfacial debonding and matrix plastic deformation are observed to occur simultaneously. Under longitudinal loading, the dominant damage mechanism is identified as fiber fracture, whereas the damage patterns under in-plane and out-of-plane shear are found to be consistent with those under transverse compression and transverse tension, respectively. These insights offer significant engineering value for the development of damage-tolerant design criteria and structural-integrity evaluation frameworks for CFRP components and assemblies.
Prediction of gas explosion consequences in residential buildings based on artificial neural network
HU Qianran, SHEN Xingyu, ZHANG Qi, YUAN Mengqi, FAN Wulong, WANG Jizhe, YANG Huijie, LIN Rui
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0382
Abstract:
A data-driven study was conducted to tackle the highly nonlinear and uncertain evolution of residential gas explosion disasters and to achieve accurate prediction of their consequences. The primary objective was to develop an efficient and intelligent predictive tool for key explosion parameters—maximum overpressure, maximum temperature, and their spatial locations—across diverse residential layouts. Therefore, A gas explosion accident consequence prediction method based on artificial neural network was proposed. Firstly, computational fluid dynamics technology was employed to establish numerical models of three typical residential types. Secondly, full-scale gas explosion experiments were conducted to validate the accuracy of the numerical simulations, alongside extensive computational analyses, yielding a diverse dataset of gas explosion consequences spanning various residential types. Finally, through sensitivity analysis and accuracy verification, an intelligent model was developed to accurately predict the consequences of gas explosions. The model demonstrated prediction errors of less than 15% for indoor maximum explosion overpressure, less than 5% for temperature, and spatial position coordinated errors of less than 25%. In this way, the batch prediction of the most severe indoor explosion consequences and their spatial location characteristics for various residential types under any ignition position was realized. The results show that as the house area expands and spatial layout complexity increases, the maximum overpressure and temperature values also rise accordingly. The living room consistently exhibits the lowest overpressure levels, while areas near bedroom walls lacking vent tend to experience extreme overpressure and temperature values. Ignition in the kitchen and bedroom can result in the most severe overpressure and temperature consequences in the respective rooms, showcasing the varying impact of ignition position on explosion outcomes. The research conclusions provide an important reference for further expanding the prediction application of artificial intelligence in the field of gas explosion and the efficient prevention and control of explosion accidents.
Design and impact response analysis of a novel thoracic physical model
LUO Xian, QU Zhixue, GUO Chengwang, YANG Da, CHEN Taiwei, CAI Zhihua
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0216
Abstract:
In order to systematically evaluate the impact safety of human chest impacted by non-lethal kinetic projectiles (NLKP), an integrated three-rib thoracic physical model with a configurable structure was developed, which was compatible with both simulation and experimental testing. The projectile representation was first validated through rigid-wall impacts at 29 m/s and 61 m/s on a controllable gas-launch platform. The measured force–time histories agreed well with the NATO Allied Engineering Publication-99 (AEP-99), corridors, confirming the fidelity of the projectile model. Impact experiments on chest were then conducted using the validated projectile model at 56 m/s and 86.5 m/s. The measured chest-wall displacements and the maximum value of the viscous criterion (VCmax, βvc,max) fell within the validation corridors specified in the AEP-99, demonstrating that the proposed model exhibits dynamic-response consistency and predictive accuracy under medium- and low-velocity impacts at or below 90 m/s. Among them, the maximum relative errors between simulated and experimental displacements at 56 m/s and 86.5 m/s are 16% and 21%, respectively. A projectile hardness scan (soft/medium/hard) showed that VCmax increased from 0.298 m/s to 0.336 m/s at 56 m/s and from 0.765 m/s to 0.856 m/s at 86.5 m/s, indicating a more pronounced risk amplification at higher energies. When the rib spacing varies within the range of 80%−120% of the baseline rib spacing, its effect on the peak displacement and contact force is approximately ±6%, and VCmax fluctuates within 5.7%−6.2%, which is generally within the engineering acceptable range. Compared with the surrogate human thorax for impact model (SHTIM), the proposed model adhered more closely to the corridor mid-line at 56, 86.5 m/s, and yielded VCmax values of 0.308, 0.803 m/s (both within the recommended ranges), whereas the SHTIM slightly underestimated the high-energy case, confirming the model advantage in response fidelity and criterion consistency. A systematic simulation was conducted for impact responses by four typical projectiles (NS, CONDOR, SIR-X, and RB1FS) within the velocity range of 60–90 m/s, elucidating the influence mechanisms of projectile structure and material on thoracic injury risk. Under higher speed impact (100–120 m/s), the soft tissue layer of the model dominates energy absorption and dissipation, while the peak stress in the rib layer increases significantly with velocity and exceeds the yield limit, indicating a high risk of fracture. Thickness sensitivity analysis reveals that the thickness of the soft tissue layer plays the most prominent role in regulating energy absorption and deformation. These findings provide important theoretical and technical support for NLKP impact injury assessment and the optimization of protective equipment.
GNN-based predictive model for spatial and temporal distribution of blast overpressure
LI Banruo, HUO Pu, YU Jun
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2024-0503
Abstract:
To meet the need for accurate and rapid prediction of overpressure generated by an explosion, a graph neural network (GNN)-based artificial intelligence model was proposed in this paper for predicting the spatial and temporal distribution of the blast overpressure. The model relies on high-fidelity training data generated through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using the open-source software blastFoam, and the validity of the numerical simulations was validated against experimental data from existing literature. In the simulations, the computational domain was discretized using hexahedral meshes, and key physical parameters—including pressure, velocity, and node type—were extracted and converted into structured graph data via mesh remapping technology. This approach enabled the construction of two specialized datasets: a free-field explosion dataset and a confined explosion dataset for TNT, which serve as the foundation for training and evaluating the GNN model. The GNN model contains three modules: an encoder, a processor and a decoder. The predicted results of the pressure field can be output through inputting the standard graph format data. The GNN model was trained using the two training datasets for the two specialized scenarios, separately. The root mean square error (RMSE) and the coefficient of determination (R2) of the model on the testing datasets were monitored, and the predicted results were compared with the computed results of the CFD. All the above comparisons show that the GNN-based model proposed in this paper attains good predicted results in both the free-field explosion and the confined explosion scenarios. The GNN-based model has the advantages in extracting strong feature under small samples, rapid prediction with stratified accuracy, and versatile applications. Moreover, the GNN-based model can achieve the prediction of the blast overpressure field of the three-dimensional space both in temporal and spatial dimensions.
Prediction model for projectile ballistic characteristics in multi-layered spaced concrete thin targets based on CNN
LIANG Junxuan, MA Luyao, LIU Chuang, SHEN Taoran, ZHAI Zhe, XIAO Chuan, ZHANG Xianfeng
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0320
Abstract:
To overcome the high computational cost of traditional ballistic prediction methods and their inability to satisfy rapid assessment requirements, this study proposes an efficient predictive model for the penetration ballistics of multi-layer thin concrete targets based on a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). First, a numerically simulated approach, validated by experiments, was employed to analyze and confirm the significant influence of projectile angular velocity on trajectory deflection, and this parameter was consequently identified as a key projectile–target engagement condition. By systematically varying the initial conditions, a dataset comprising 127 cases of single-layer thin concrete target penetration was constructed. On this basis, a high-accuracy ballistic prediction model for single-layer targets was developed, taking projectile parameters, target parameters, and engagement conditions as inputs, and post-impact projectile motion parameters as outputs. Furthermore, by incorporating rigid-body kinematic equations describing the projectile flight between successive targets, a complete iterative penetration–flight prediction framework was established, enabling rapid prediction of ballistic characteristics for multi-layer spaced thin concrete targets. The results indicate that an increase in counterclockwise angular velocity leads to a positive increase in the radial residual velocity behind the target and an upward deflection of the trajectory, whereas clockwise angular velocity produces the opposite effect. These findings demonstrate that projectile angular velocity is a critical and non-negligible factor in thin-target penetration. For single-layer target cases, the model exhibited strong predictive capability, with the mean MSE values of the training and test sets stabilizing at approximately 0.0012 and 0.0019, respectively. For multi-layer target predictions, while maintaining high accuracy (with a maximum relative error of 10.65% in residual velocity and a maximum absolute error of 3.47° in attitude angle), the computational time of the proposed method was only about 0.05% of that required by conventional numerical simulation. This study not only elucidates the influence of the key factor-projectile angular velocity-on penetration ballistics, but also proposes a novel “data-driven and physics-equation fusion” modeling paradigm, providing an important methodological reference for weapon damage effectiveness assessment and design optimization.
Riemann-SPH simulation of hypervelocity impact on basalt material: parameter analysis and validation
LIU Yandong, ZHOU Qi, LI Mingtao
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2024-0440
Abstract:
To study the effects of parameters in smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) simulations of hypervelocity impacts on basalt, numerical analysis and validation were performed using the Riemann-SPH method based on ground-based impact tests. By adjusting various simulation parameters, the influence of parameters on the simulation can be obtained. Results show that both algorithmic and material parameters significantly influence the simulation, with coupling between strength and damage models. Applying the artificial stress method helps suppress tensile instability in solid impacts. Using the Wendland C2 kernel with a target of 2.5 particles within the smoothing length optimizes both accuracy and efficiency, and variable-resolution particle distribution improves performance by over 20 times. In simulations, the impactor may undergo a phase transition, and different model and parameter combinations can yield similar responses. It is recommended to employ the Lundborg strength model and the Benz-Asphaug stochastic damage model, which better represent the mechanical behavior of rocky materials, and to account for phase transitions. Parameter search should be constrained by reasonably known values to avoid large errors or non-uniqueness. With reasonable parameters, simulated crater size and momentum transfer factor match experiments within 10–20% error. These strategies support SPH applications in asteroid defense and parameter selection.
Influence of different casing materials on borehole wall pressure of high-energy gas-generating agents
WANG Yanbing, LU Xiang
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0219
Abstract:
Deep coal rock blasting poses high risks, and hydraulic fracturing faces limitations, necessitating the development of controllable rock-breaking technologies. As an advanced high-energy gas fracturing technique, high-energy gas-generating agents demonstrate remarkable advantages in rock fragmentation, providing robust technical support for efficient and safe coal mining. This study focuses on the casing materials of high-energy gas-generating agents, investigating their impact on borehole wall pressure during coal rock fracturing. A comprehensive pressure monitoring system was established, employing three casing materials—transparent PVC, white PVC, and kraft paper tubes—for borehole wall pressure experiments. Attenuation indices and reliability were selected as evaluation metrics to analyze the influence of material physical properties on borehole wall pressure. Results indicate that the initiator, upon ignition, generates stress waves and a small amount of gas. The stress wave induces the first pressure peak, followed by a decline due to gas diffusion. The superposition of reflected stress waves and gas expansion waves forms the second peak, while gas expansion variations produce the third peak. Without the main agent, the initiator group exhibits the lowest pressure peak, shortest pressure rise time, minimal loading rate, limited energy release, and low transmission efficiency. For the three groups containing the main agent, pressure peaks near the high-energy gas-generating agent (10 cm away) approximate 200 MPa, with pressure rise times around 20 ms. The attenuation coefficients of pressure peaks for the three casing materials from the biggest to the smallest follow the order: transparent PVC, white PVC, and kraft paper tube. The attenuation coefficients of pressure rise times from the biggest to the smallest rank as: transparent PVC, kraft paper tube, and white PVC. For loading rate attenuation coefficients, the sequence from the biggest to the smallest is: white PVC, transparent PVC, and kraft paper tube. Because of its high elastic modulus and low Poisson’s ratio, white PVC casing demonstrates optimal performance in pressure peak, rise time, and loading rate near the high-energy gas-generating agent, achieving the highest energy transmission efficiency. Transparent PVC casing exhibits higher pressure peaks and loading rates than the paper tube near the agent but underperforms at longer distances, indicating strong directionality and concentration. The kraft paper tube ensures uniform energy distribution but exhibits the weakest overall energy concentration, along with the longest rise times and lowest loading rates. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for optimizing high-energy gas-generating agent designs and enhancing rock-breaking efficacy.
The influence of fuel concentration on the explosion dynamics characteristics of hydrogen/air premixed gas in confined spaces
CHU Zihan, ZHANG Yun, AN Wenxin, TANG Xinyu, ZHANG Xin, ZHAO Yue, TAN Yingxin, CAO Xiong, YU Cunjuan, CAO Weiguo
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0140
Abstract:
Hydrogen energy, as a zero-carbon energy source, holds broad application prospects in critical defense systems because of its high energy density and zero carbon emissions. To enhance energy utilization efficiency and ensure operational safety, an integrated approach combining experimental and numerical simulations was adopted to systematically examine the effects of hydrogen concentration on explosion dynamics in a confined space. Experiments were carried out in a cylindrical chamber equipped with high-frequency pressure sensors and a high-speed camera to record transient overpressure and track flame propagation behavior. Complementing the experimental setup, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were implemented using a detailed 19-step hydrogen/air chemical reaction mechanism to accurately reproduce the spatiotemporal evolution of flow field velocity during the premixed gas explosion process. Results indicate that the maximum explosion pressure occurred at a hydrogen volume fraction of 30%, peaking at 0.623 94 MPa. The peak flame area was largest at both 30% and 45%, exceeding results at 15% and 60% by 14.6% and 6.3%, respectively. The 30 % condition also achieved the peak flame area in the shortest time, at 8.2 ms. Furthermore, geometric constraints at the junction of the cylindrical sidewall and the endwall led to accumulation of unburned hydrogen, causing localized increases in density and pressure and resulting in four clearly discernible high-velocity regions within the flow field. At 9 ms, the flow velocity profile along the centerline exhibited symmetry with a dual-peak structure appearing unilaterally. While the 45% condition showed an early transient velocity advantage due to intensified local heat release, the 30% condition demonstrated superior late-stage velocity recovery owing to more stable and sustained combustion near the stoichiometric ratio. These findings underscore the high combustion efficiency and stability achievable near stoichiometric conditions, providing a scientific foundation for the design and optimization of high-efficiency hydrogen combustion systems..
Modeling and prediction of blast-Induced response in RC columns using graph neural networks
PAN Liujuan, ZHANG Yongqi, WANG Zhiqiao, WANG Mingchuan, HE Yong, HU Jie, WU Weitao, PENG Jiangzhou
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0179
Abstract:
The efficient and accurate prediction of structural responses in reinforced concrete components under blast loading plays a critical role in emergency repair decision, structural strengthening, and protective design. Existing rapid methods for calculating structural response, such as analytical models and lightweight data-driven approaches, are computationally efficient. However, they are limited in accurately resolving three-dimensional structural response fields. A Graph Neural Network (GNN)-based model for the rapid prediction of damage in reinforced concrete (RC) columns was proposed in this paper. By leveraging the neighborhood node aggregation mechanism of GNNs, the model efficiently transmits mechanical correlation information within the structure. This allows the model to establish an end-to-end mapping between blast load inputs and the 3D structural response of the component, enabling rapid prediction of the column's damage state. Furthermore, a multi-scenario feature coupling training strategy is introduced to significantly enhance the model's generalization capability. This strategy enables the GNN model to effectively adapt to variations in key design and loading parameters, including reinforcement ratios, explosive charge weights, and blast locations. The results demonstrate that the proposed model achieves a prediction time of merely 55 milliseconds per instance, representing a computational speed improvement of four orders of magnitude over conventional methods; meanwhile, the prediction error remains below 3.33%. Furthermore, it delivers high-precision damage predictions across various blast scenarios. The proposed study successfully highlights the significant potential of GNN-based approaches in predicting blast-induced damage and offers an innovative, data-driven solution for rapid structural assessment and protective design in the field of blast engineering.
Research on the knowledge graph of accidental explosion damage
WANG Jimin, JIANG Can, HAN Bin, WANG Xing, ZHANG Lei
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0329
Abstract:
Constructing a knowledge graph for accidental explosion damage using investigation reports of explosion accident characterized by multi-source, heterogeneous, and overlapping information plays a significant role in data-driven explosion assessment and traceability analysis. To address the overlapping and nested events in accidental explosion investigation data, a knowledge graph construction method centered on event joint extraction was employed, utilizing explosion investigation reports to build the accidental explosion damage knowledge graph. By retrieving similar explosion events within the knowledge graph using cosine similarity and applying a Bayesian classification method, the type of explosive materials involved in the Beirut port explosion incident was identified with relatively high accuracy. The knowledge graph construction results demonstrate that on the accidental explosion damage corpus, the proposed dynamic masking-based event joint extraction method improved the F1 scores for event classification and event element classification by at least 2% and 5.4%, respectively, compared to existing extraction models. Traceability analysis indicates that knowledge graph-based traceability offers significant improvements in both speed and accuracy compared to traditional manual traceability methods.
Experimental study on dynamic mechanical properties of sandstone under coupled effects of bedding dip angle and anchoring methods
LU Yuyin, YU Yang, FENG Guangliang, GENG Daxing, JIN Peng, ZENG Jianjun, XIONG Tao, LI Xiaopei
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0125
Abstract:
Layered rock masses were prone to bedding plane cracking or even large-scale collapse under impact loads such as blasting. In engineering practices, bolts or cables were commonly employed for anchoring support. To investigate the dynamic mechanical response of layered rock masses under impact loading and the effectiveness of bolt support, sandstone specimens with different bedding dip angles (0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°) and bolt support methods (No-anchor, End-anchor, Semi-anchor, Full- anchor) were prepared. Dynamic impact tests were conducted using a split Hopkinson pressure bar system to analyze the coupling effects of bedding dip angle and bolt support method on the dynamic strength, energy evolution, and failure modes of the rock mass. Additionally, fractal theory was employed to quantitatively characterize the fracture characteristics of the specimens. The results indicate that the strength of unanchored specimens initially decreases and then increases with increasing bedding plane angle, exhibiting a V-shaped curve. After anchoring, the strength of specimens improves significantly, and as the anchor length increases, the curve transitions to an inverted V-shape. From an energy perspective, the transmitted energy trends of all four specimen types are similar to their strength trends. As the bedding plane angle increases, the reflected energy curve shows an inverted V-shape, the transmitted energy gradually decreases, while the dissipated energy increases. The anchoring method primarily affects the overall level of the curves. The fragments of the specimens after failure exhibit distinct fractal characteristics, with the fractal dimension curves showing an inverted V-shape influenced by the bedding plane angle. Full-anchor specimens display the least fragmentation, while No-anchor specimens experience the most severe damage. Based on this, the unit dissipated energy index was calculated, revealing a V-shaped curve. Full-anchor specimens exhibit the highest overall unit dissipated energy index, indicating their superior resistance to damage. The findings of this study can provide a reference for anchor support design in layered rock mass engineering.
Investigation of impact resistance in novel TWIP steel / ceramic composite structures
LI Qianyi, LIU Xiyue, BAI Shuxin, YE Yicong, HE Manchao, XIA Min
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2024-0461
Abstract:
To enhance the anti-impact protective performance of armor systems and address the demands of lightweight armored vehicles and military equipment, a systematic study was conducted on the ballistic resistance of a silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic/novel TWIP (Twinning-Induced Plasticity) steel composite structure. Samples of the SiC ceramic/TWIP steel composite and monolithic TWIP steel were fabricated for comparative analysis. Single-stage light gas gun plate impact experiments were performed at a flyer impact velocity of 500 m/s to obtain free-surface velocity profiles of both materials under high-velocity loading. The spall strength and strain rate sensitivity of the composite and monolithic steel were calculated from these profiles and statistically compared. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) were employed to characterize the microstructural evolution and damage mechanisms, including microvoid nucleation, coalescence, and primary crack propagation, in the impacted samples. Numerical simulations were implemented using LS-DYNA, where the TWIP steel was modeled with the Johnson-Cook (J-C) constitutive equation, and a particle-based method was adopted to simulate the brittle ceramic phase. The simulations were extended to investigate spallation behavior at varying impact velocities and to evaluate the influence of different steel properties on composite performance. Experimental results demonstrate that the composite exhibits 22.76% and 7.09% enhancements in spall strength and strain rate sensitivity, respectively, compared to monolithic TWIP steel. Microstructural analysis reveals that both materials undergo ductile fracture characterized by microvoid coalescence; however, the composite shows significantly weaker spall damage, confirming its superior impact resistance. The numerical model achieves excellent agreement with experimental data, validating its predictive accuracy. Stress distribution analysis during the impact process identifies a critical crack-initiation velocity of approximately 225 m/s. Furthermore, the influence of steel properties on the anti-impact performance of the composite structure was analyzed, demonstrating that the novel TWIP steel exhibits superior performance.
Damage and failure assessment of framed T-beam type RC shed tunnel under rockfall impact
WU Hao, SHEN Qu, CHEN De
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0060
Abstract:
Reinforced concrete (RC) shed tunnel serves as an effective in-situ solution for rockfall protection along mountainous highways and railways. Using the commercial software LS-DYNA, refined numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the damage and failure assessment of a prototype framed T-beam type RC shed tunnel under rockfall impact. The simulations considered scenarios both with and without cushions, including 600 mm and 1200 mm sand cushions, as well as 1200 mm sand-expandable polyethylene (EPE) composite cushion. Firstly, a refined finite element model of a prototype framed T-beam type RC shed tunnel located on the Shanghai-Kunming railway under rockfall impact was developed, of which the rockfall masses ranging from 1 t to 30 t and impact velocities ranging from 10 m/s to 57 m/s. Secondly, by comparing with the results of existing impact tests on bare RC slab, as well as RC slabs with sand and EPE cushions, the accuracy and reliability of the adopted material constitutive model, mesh size, contact algorithm, and corresponding parameters of the finite element model were validated. Furthermore, the damage patterns and dynamic responses of the prototype shed tunnel without cushion, with sand cushion, and with sand-EPE composite cushion were compared and analyzed. Finally, taking the maximum penetration depth of the rockfall reaching the total thickness of the roof slab and cushion as the failure threshold of the shed tunnel, the corresponding relationship between the rockfall mass and the critical impact velocity was established, which enabled rapid assessment of protective performance of shed tunnel. It indicates that: (1) Under the impact of a 15 t rockfall at velocities of 10 m/s and 25 m/s, the damage to the shed tunnel without cushion is primarily concentrated in the impact area of the roof slab. On average, the use of sand cushion and sand-EPE composite cushion reduces the peak impact force by 92.8% and 91.6%, respectively; (2) At impact velocity of 10 m/s, the sand-EPE composite cushion exhibits superior buffering and energy dissipation performance compared to the sand cushion. However, with impact velocity increasing to 25 m/s, the EPE in the composite cushion is rapidly compacted, leading to a diminished protective effect. In this scenario, the impact force and energy transferred to the roof slab with the composite cushion are 89.3% and 37.8% higher than those with the sand cushion, respectively; (3) The critical impact velocity of rockfall corresponding to the failure damage of the shed tunnel follows an exponential decay trend as the rockfall mass increases. The application of cushions can increase the critical impact velocity by 52% to 155%, significantly improving the protective performance of the shed tunnel.
Deep learning-based prediction of high-strain-rate shock response in metastable high-entropy alloys
LIU Chuanzhi, AN Wen, XIONG Qilin
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0259
Abstract:
Metastable high-entropy alloys (HEA) have attracted considerable attention due to their exceptional mechanical properties at high strain rates. However, their engineering applications under high strain rates are limited, which stems from an inadequate understanding of the relationship between microstructure and impact response. An end-to-end deep learning framework has been implemented, combining the crystal plasticity finite element (CPFE) method with a convolutional neural network (CNN) to elucidate the mapping between microstructure and shock response. A crystal plasticity constitutive model, which couples dislocation slip and martensitic transformation mechanisms, has been developed and validated against experimental results, confirming the model's effectiveness. Based on this constitutive model, a dataset for training the deep learning model is generated, including the complete stress-strain response and martensite volume fraction evolution of metastable HEA with corresponding textures and loading conditions at high strain rates. The two-branch CNN model is used to extract microstructural features. Its input is microstructural information in image format and loading conditions, and its output consists of two branches corresponding to stress-strain curves and the evolution of martensite volume fraction. The collected dataset was used to train the CNN model. The results show that the model can accurately predict the shock response of metastable HEA under high strain rate conditions. This study demonstrates that the deep learning framework, while maintaining predictive accuracy, offers a significant computational efficiency advantage over CPFE simulations. It provides a novel approach for efficiently assessing the mechanical behavior of metastable high-entropy alloys under high strain rates.
Study on the protective effect of ground concrete bedding layer on buried pipelines under the rockfall impact
LIU Tianhao, JIANG Nan, ZHOU Chuanbo, YAO Yingkang, YANG Feng, LYU Guopeng
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2024-0474
Abstract:
To investigate the protective effect of ground concrete cushion layers on buried pipelines used for water transmission, field rockfall impact tests were conducted by pre-burying multi-section bell-and-spigot concrete pipelines and casting in-situ concrete cushions on the ground. Combined with the DH8302 dynamic strain testing system, the spatial distribution characteristics of dynamic strain in the pipeline body and the variation law of earth pressure at the bell-and-spigot joints were analyzed. The LS-DYNA numerical simulation software was used to establish a detailed model of the rockfall impact test, and the reliability of the numerical model was verified by comparing simulation results with test results. By increasing the impact energy of rockfalls, the failure characteristics of buried bell-and-spigot concrete pipelines were studied. The influence mechanism of concrete cushion parameters (thickness and strength) on the protective effect was further analyzed by varying these parameters. The results show that: (1) Under the condition of a burial depth of 2 m, unstable crack propagation in the pipeline body is more likely to cause leakage of bell-and-spigot concrete pipelines under rockfall impact; (2) The peak tensile strain in the pipeline body decreases nonlinearly with the increase of cushion thickness and strength. The cushion thickness must exceed a critical value (15 cm) to significantly dissipate energy, and there is an optimal strength range (C30-C35) – excessive strength enhancement will reduce protective efficiency; (3) Cushion thickness accounts for 74% of the protective effect contribution, indicating that the design principle of "geometry prior to material" should be followed. It is recommended to use a concrete cushion with a strength of C30-C35 and a thickness of ≥0.2 m, which can significantly reduce the risk of pipeline impact damage and provide a quantitative design basis for pipeline protection in mountainous areas.
Effect of titanium fiber content on mechanical behavior and explosive properties of Al/PTFE-RDX composite charges
ZHU Shoujun, CHENG Yangfan, LIANG Haojian, WANG Quan, MA Honghao
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0190
Abstract:
To improve the mechanical behaviors and explosion performance of the Al/PTFE reactive materials, short-cut titanium fibers were added to Al/PTFE annular reactive materials, and subsequently assembled with RDX explosive column to form a composite charge. The effects of different titanium fiber contents on the mechanical behaviors of the annular reactive materials were investigated using a universal material testing machine and a split Hopkinson pressure bar. The influence of short-cut titanium fiber contents on the quasi-static pressure, shock wave parameters and thermal damage effects of the composite charge was studied in depth by the free-field explosion test system and spherical explosion container test system combined with the colorimetric temperature measurement technology. The temperature field of explosion flame was reconstructed by the colorimetric temperature measurement method with a high-speed camera, which was based on the gray-body radiation theory. A tungsten lamp calibrated the measurement accuracy of the temperature mapping system, and the fitting relationship between the temperatures and the gray values of the high-speed images was derived to obtain the conversion coefficient. The test results of mechanical properties showed that with the increase of titanium fiber content, the elastic modulus, yield strength and compressive strength of Al/PTFE annular reactive materials under quasi-static compression, as well as the yield strength and compressive strength under high-speed impact, all exhibited an initial increase, which were followed by a decrease, reaching the maximum values at 3% content. The experimental results of explosion performance showed that short-cut titanium fibers could significantly enhance the explosion performance of Al/PTFE-RDX composite charges. When the content of short-cut titanium fibers was 3%, the peak overpressure of the explosion shock wave, its positive phase duration and positive impulse were 37.68 kPa, 695.34 µs and 12.34 Pa·s, respectively. With 5% content of short--cut titanium fibers, the afterburning effect was the most significant. The maximum values of the explosion quasi-static pressure, average fireball temperature and fireball duration reached 70.50 kPa, 2782 K and 1668.90 µs, respectively. Analysis of solid explosion products indicated that short-cut titanium fibers could enhance the mechanical strength of the Al/PTFE matrix, delay the fragmentation time of the Al/PTFE annular reactive materials, promote the interfacial reactions, and participate in high-temperature chemical reactions, generating a synergistic effect and positive feedback to improve the mechanical toughness and energy release efficiency of the reactive materials.
Johnson-Cook constitutive model and failure criterion for nuclear-grade stainless steel Z2CN18.10
PENG Jian, GUO Zehua, LI Xinghua, ZHU Rongfu, HAN Xuejie, QIN Dongyang, TANG Zhongbin, LI Yulong
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0301
Abstract:
Nuclear-grade stainless steel Z2CN18.10 is widely used in nuclear power plant piping systems. Its dynamic mechanical behavior under combined high strain rates and elevated temperatures is of great significance for assessing structural integrity under impact loads. To accurately characterize the mechanical behavior of Z2CN18.10 under dynamic loading, quasi-static and high-strain-rate tensile tests were conducted using a universal electronic testing machine and a conventional split Hopkinson tension bar system. The stress-strain responses of the material were obtained within temperature ranges from ambient (25 ℃) up to 400 ℃ and strain rates from 10−3 to 103 s−1. To overcome the limitation of conventional Hopkinson bar apparatus in achieving large-strain loading, an electromagnetically driven bidirectional Hopkinson tension bar system was employed to measure the failure strain of the material under different stress triaxialities. Based on the experimental data, parameters for the Johnson-Cook constitutive model and failure criterion were fitted, and the validity of the model was verified through high-speed impact tests using a gas gun. The results show that the differences between numerical simulations and experiments in terms of perforation diameter, peak strain, and support reaction force were 4.4%, 7.5%, and 2.3%, respectively, indicating good agreement. The established reliable dynamic constitutive model and failure criterion for Z2CN18.10 stainless steel provide an important methodological and data foundation for the impact-resistant design and safety assessment of nuclear power piping systems.
Spatial dispersion characteristics of behind-armor debris generated during the penetration of tantalum alloy explosively-formed projectile
WEI Guoxu, XU Hongwei, GUO Rui, LI Xiangdong, ZHANG Lei, JI Long
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0326
Abstract:
To investigate the spatial dispersion characteristics of behind-armor debris (BAD) generated by the penetration of tantalum alloy explosively-formed projectile (EFP) into steel targets, a comprehensive study combining experimental testing, numerical simulation, and machine learning prediction was performed. First, X-ray imaging and fragment-distribution experiments were conducted on 45 steel targets penetrated by tantalum alloy EFP to obtain initial experimental data. Subsequently, the finite element-smoothed particle hydrodynamics (FE-SPH) fixed-coupling method, which had been validated by the experimental data, was employed to simulate the perforation process. These numerical simulations were carried out under a wide range of working conditions, specifically varying the projectile velocity and target thickness. Through this process, a comprehensive dataset describing the spatial dispersion of BAD was generated. Finally, to achieve rapid prediction capabilities, a support vector regression (SVR) model was established. The Bayesian optimization algorithm was utilized to train the model using the dense-fragment dispersion angle data extracted from the simulation dataset, thereby creating a robust predictive model for spatial dispersion of BAD. The experimental results indicate that the morphology of the BAD cloud exhibits a typical truncated-ellipsoidal shape. Due to the density difference between tantalum and steel, fragments composed of different materials display distinct radial expansion behaviors, i.e. steel fragments are distributed along the outer surface of the ellipsoid whereas tantalum fragments are concentrated on the inner surface. Spatially, the debris is primarily concentrated within a circular region surrounding the central perforation area of the witness plate. The FE-SPH fixed-coupling method successfully reproduced the BAD formation process, yielding debris-cloud morphologies that closely match the experimental results. The relative error between the simulated and measured mean maximum fragment dispersion angles is less than 10%, thereby confirming the accuracy of the numerical simulations. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that the Bayesian-optimized SVR model enables accurate prediction of dense-fragment dispersion angles under varying target thicknesses and EFP impact velocities, with maximum relative errors below 10%. Based on these predictions, the damage area on witness plates within a certain distance behind the target can be rapidly estimated.
Analysis of explosion resistance of the blast wall with negative Poisson’s ratio Structure
WANG Qianhui, QUAN Guan, LI Qinghua, YAO Pan, XU Shilang
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0072
Abstract:
In order to improve the explosion resistance of the blast wall, it is proposed to combine the negative Poisson’s ratio structure with ultra-high toughness cementitious composites (UHTCC), and through a combination of the explosion experiment and numerical simulation, the anti-explosive property of the negative Poisson’s ratio slab has been studied, in order to prove the superiority of the anti-explosive properties of the negative Poisson’s ratio UHTCC slab. Firstly, the construction of a negative Poisson’s ratio structural slab was realized by using concrete 3D printing technology and optimizing the printing path, which verified the constructability of the negative Poisson’s ratio structural slab and the negative Poisson’s slab was subjected to a contact explosion test. Using LS-DYNA software, a finite element model of fluid-solid coupling was established in accordance with the explosion test conditions and the finite element model was verified by comparison of the slab damage pattern of the contact explosion test and the slab damage pattern of the simulation. On this basis, the finite element model which has been verified was used to simulate and analyze the effects of different materials of slabs(concrete and UHTCC), different structures of slabs(negative Poisson’s ratio structure, positive Poisson’s ratio structure and solid structure), different cell concave angles and different solid layer thickness ratios on the anti-explosive properties of the negative Poisson’s structural slab under contact explosion. By comparing the slab damage patterns and the ability of energy absorption which was determined by the value of the air overpressure behind the slabs, the design of a negative Poisson’s ratio structure target plate with the best anti-explosive properties was obtained. The results show that: (1) Due to the high toughness, explosion resistance of UHTCC slabs is significantly better than the concrete slabs.The UHTCC slabs all remained intact and the concrete target slabs are all penetrated. (2) Negative Poisson’s ratio slab has the best ability to absorb energy during three kinds of structures, while the solid slab is more able to maintain the structural integrity. (3) When the negative Poisson’s ratio of the cell concave angle is 61°, the structure has optimal explosion resistance, and smaller and larger angle both reduce the explosion resistance of structure. (4) When the thickness of the negative Poisson’s ratio structure is too large as a proportion of the total thickness, the slab is severely damaged. Increasing the solid layer thickness of the backburst surface of the slab or increasing the solid layer thickness of the explosion-facing surface and the backburst surface at the same time is conducive to weakening of the blast shock wave and improving structural integrity. This study confirmed the superiority of the explosion resistance of negative Poisson’s ratio UHTCC slab, and provides a theoretical basis for the design of blast walls based on negative Poisson’s ratio structure.
Study on blast load distribution of building surface under surface burst
MA Long, YIN Wenjun, LI Qi, GUAN Junyi, TONG Nianxue, CHENG Shuai, LIU Wenxiang, ZHANG Dezhi
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2024-0428
Abstract:
In order to study the distribution of blast wave load of building surface under surface burst, firstly, the fine scaled experiments under laboratory environment were conducted. The blast wave pressure-time curves on the surface of building model under the situation of surface burst of spherical charge as well as the distribution law of blast wave characteristic parameters were obtained. Subsequently, the numerical simulation method of blast wave propagation was developed and verified by the experimental data. Through simulation, the blast load distribution and time-histories of blast pressure on the rear face of building were analyzed. Finally, the theoretical method based on blast wave time-history analysis and superposition rule was proposed, and the quantitative analysis model of the blast load distribution on the rear face of building which was verified by numerical results was obtained. The results show that the maximum blast load on the front face of building located at the bottom of the building, which the overall distribution was relatively uniform. The blast load on the rear face of building was mainly concentrated on the two sides of the top angle and the central axis, which was formed by the superposition of the diffraction waves from top and side edges, and the maximum overpressure occurred at the intersection position of different diffraction shock waves, which is affected by the building size and explosion distance.
Study on the influence of concrete pre-damage on the performance of projectile penetration
DONG Jiancai, WANG Mian, LIU Chuang, LI Chenhui, MA Luyao, ZHANG Xianfeng
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0108
Abstract:
In order to investigate the impact of target damage on projectile penetration performance, a series of penetration experiments were conducted on a concrete target utilising a former jet and a subsequent kinetic energy projectile. The critical factors influencing the performance of pre-damaged concrete penetrated by the projectile were analyzed. The relationship between the strength of the concrete materials in the pre-damaged concrete target was determined. Based on this, a semi-empirical model of projectile penetration of pre-damaged concrete was established by combining the aforementioned cavity expansion theory with the results of the preceding analysis. The impact of projectile and target parameters on the performance of secondary penetration of the projectile was then analyzed. The findings indicate that the impact of pre-damaged concrete on the depth of projectile penetration is contingent upon the discrepancy in crater volume and concrete damage. It can be posited that the damage to the target is the predominant influencing factor. When there is a finite-length damage zone within the concrete target and the diameter of the cavity of the target is between 0.3 and 0.5 time the diameter of the projectile, the effect is even less pronounced. When a finite-length damage zone exists within the target, the pre-damage cavity is 0.3-0.5 times the diameter of the projectile. In this instance, the gain in depth of penetration is most pronounced. In the event of penetrating damage to the target, a ratio of 0.3 between the diameter of the target tunnel and that of the projectile is observed. The difference in penetration depth between the pre-damaged target and the pre-drilled target is found to be greater, with a gradual increase in this difference as the ratio increases further. When the damage state of the target is certain, decreasing the projectile diameter or increasing the CRH of the ogive-nosed projectile is more advantageous to increase the depth of penetration.
Characterization method of material constitutive relationship at high strain rates based on GNN/KAN
YUAN Jichen, HUANG Xiaxu, XIE Guoliang
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0103
Abstract:
To accurately characterize the stress-strain constitutive relationship of metal materials under high strain-rate conditions, a novel, high-precision constitutive-relationship-prediction model based on Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) and Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks (KANs) was developed. Traditional Johnson-Cook (JC) models often fail to account for the coupling effects among temperature, strain rate, and strain, all of which are crucial for describing the dynamic behavior of materials under extreme conditions. This limitation was addressed by constructing graph-structured data in the GNN model to capture the nonlinear correlations of multidimensional parameters and by leveraging the Kolmogorov-Arnold theorem in the KAN model to achieve precise mapping of high-dimensional input spaces. The research methodology involved several key steps. Experimental data from ODS copper subjected to high-strain-rate compression were collected using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) system and subsequently preprocessed. The dataset included temperature, strain rate, strain, and stress. In the GNN model, when temperature and strain rate were held constant, nodes were connected sequentially based on strain values to form edges. When temperature was held constant, a reasonable threshold was established between nodes with adjacent strain rates, and nodes within this threshold were connected to form edges. The GNN employed a Message Passing Neural Network (MPNN) architecture to learn and predict material properties. Model parameters were optimized using the Adam optimizer, with the Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) serving as the loss function. The KAN model was constructed based on the Kolmogorov-Arnold representation theorem and consisted of multiple KAN-Linear layers. Each KAN-Linear unit included base weights and spline weights. Base weights handled linear relationships through traditional linear transformations, while spline weights managed nonlinear mappings via B-spline interpolation. Both models were trained on the preprocessed dataset, and their performance was evaluated using metrics such as the Mean Relative Error (MRE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), and the coefficient of determination (R2). The GNN model achieved an average MRE of 9.2% with an R2 value exceeding 0.95, while the KAN model recorded an MRE of 9.1% with a similar R2 value. Both models significantly outperformed the JC model, which had an MRE of 38% and an R2 value of 0.75. Furthermore, the predictive capabilities of the GNN and KAN models were validated through finite element simulations. The simulation results demonstrated that the stress-strain distributions predicted by the GNN and KAN models were more consistent with theoretical expectations compared to those predicted by the JC model, particularly in capturing the material's softening phase. The findings highlight the potential of integrating advanced machine - learning techniques, such as GNNs and KANs, into the field of materials science to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of constitutive modeling. These models offer a promising alternative to traditional empirical models and hold significant implications for engineering applications in aerospace, automotive, and other industries where materials are subjected to high strain rates.
Performance testing and preparation methods of similitude materials for explosion modeling in gravelly soil
WANG Haisheng, GUAN Longhua, ZHU Bin, LU Qiang, DING Yang, LI Junchao, WANG Yubing, LI Weijun, PANG Zheng
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0290
Abstract:
Hypergravity centrifuge model testing serves as an effective method for simulating prototype explosion effects, whose successful application relies on soil simulants capable of replicating the dynamic response of in-situ soil. To address the challenges of particle size effects and material similarity in centrifuge modeling of explosions in sandy gravel, this study aims to establish a systematic methodology for the preparation and validation of such simulants. Through theoretical analysis, the soil key parameters governing ground shock effects under explosions were identified as density and wave velocity (wave impedance), which are fundamentally controlled by the soil's gradation characteristics. Based on this premise, twelve types of simulants with varying maximum particle sizes were systematically prepared using four scaling methods: the removal method, equal quantity replacement method, similar gradation method, and hybrid method. Through void ratio tests and bender element testing under effective confining pressure, quantitative relationships were revealed between the extreme void ratios of sandy gravel and its fines content and mean particle size. Based on this, an empirical predictive model for the small strain elastic modulus was established. Comparison of the model-predicted wave velocities with in-situ measured data indicates that the coefficient of uniformity, fines content, and mean particle size are the key controlling indices for achieving dynamic similarity in sandy gravel under explosion loading. Among these, the simulant prepared by the equal quantity replacement method, with a maximum particle size of 10 mm, demonstrated the closest equivalence to the in-situ soil in terms of the aforementioned indices. Hypergravity centrifuge explosion tests using this equivalent simulant further verified that the attenuation law of normalized peak accelerations within the source plane corresponds highly consistently with the in-situ data. This research confirms that by controlling key gradation indices and employing the equal quantity replacement method, it is possible to successfully prepare simulants that are equivalent to in-situ sandy gravel in their dynamic response to explosions. This provides a practical and effective technical pathway for centrifuge model testing in related fields.
Data-driven multi-objective optimization for lattice-based metamaterials
XIAO Lijun, ZHU Yanlin, SHI Gaoquan, LI Yinan, LI Runzhi, HUI Xulong, ZHANG Ruigang, SONG Weidong
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0288
Abstract:
Strut-based lattice metamaterials are a category of ultra-lightweight, load-bearing, and energy-absorbing materials with broad application prospects in fields such as impact protection, aerospace engineering, and lightweight structural design. Benefiting from their unique periodic architectures and adjustable meso-structural parameters, these materials exhibit exceptional mechanical tunability and multifunctional potential. However, due to the extensive parameter space of mesoscopic configurations and the highly nonlinear correlation between the structural geometry and the mechanical response, the optimization of mechanical performance for lattice metamaterials remains a formidable challenge. Based on the meso-structural characteristics of strut-based lattice metamaterials, an efficient rapid digital modeling method was proposed. A Python script coupled with Abaqus software was utilized for the rapid modeling of truss lattice metamaterials and fast calculations about the mechanical properties of the metamaterials. Based on the calculation results, a machine learning dataset was constructed. Three types of truss lattice structures were randomly selected and additively manufactured. Quasi-static compression tests on these three lattice structures were conducted using a universal testing machine to verify the reliability of the dataset. Subsequently, an artificial neural network (ANN) was trained to rapidly predict the mechanical properties of the truss lattice metamaterials. Focusing on the load-bearing capacity, energy absorption capability, and the concurrent optimization of both, a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-Ⅱ) was employed. The well-trained ANN served as a surrogate model embedded within NSGA-II. Lattice configurations that exhibited high load-bearing capacity and superior energy absorption characteristics were generated by the optimization process. These configurations also achieved a balance between load-bearing and energy-absorption performance, facilitating the optimization design of truss lattice metamaterials. Additionally, simulation validations confirmed the reliability of the optimization outcomes, demonstrating the effectiveness of integrating ANN with evolutionary algorithms for the advanced design of metamaterials. By integrating machine learning with numerical simulations, the computational cost of optimization design was effectively reduced, offering support for the rapid performance optimization and customized design of complex lattice metamaterials.
Constant stress-ratio dynamic tension/compression-torsion testing device and method based on electromagnetic Hopkinson bar system
DU Bing, YUE Yifan, LIU Zhen, DING Yi, WANG Weibin, LIU Chenlin, GUO Yazhou, LI Yulong
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0243
Abstract:
In the field of material dynamic mechanical properties research, it is significant to obtain reliable data of materials under complex stress states. To address the challenge of achieving a stable stress ratio during combined loading, this work developed a novel device based on the electromagnetic Hopkinson bar (ESHB) platform. This device uniquely enables unilateral synchronous tension/compression-torsion combined dynamic loading. The paper detailed the device’s configuration and loading principles. The core innovation of this device is the independent generation of trapezoidal tensile/compressive and torsional stress waves. A multi-circuit pulse shaper produced tensile/compressive waves, while shear waves were generated using an electromagnetic clamp with torque storage. Crucially, a high-precision digital delay generator (DDG) ensured wave synchronization. With triggering accuracy within 0.1 μs, it controlled the arrival time difference of these distinct waves at the specimen to within 5 μs. This overcame the challenge posed by their different propagation velocities. Additionally, it described the synchronization control methodology and the wave propagation analysis essential for timing calculations. To validate the apparatus, dynamic tension-torsion experiments were conducted on CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy specimens. The results show that the device is highly reliable and effective. It successfully achieved a stable stress ratio of approximately 1.7 throughout the loading duration. Furthermore, the experiments conclusively showed a key finding. Trapezoidal wave loading significantly enhances stress-ratio stability during combined dynamic loading. This improvement contrasts with the effect of traditional sinusoidal wave loading. This advancement offers a robust and controllable experimental method. It enables the study of materials’ dynamic mechanical responses under complex stress states. These states involve high-strain rates and multiaxial loading. This capability is especially valuable for aerospace, impact engineering, and materials science applications. The successful implementation of constant stress-ratio loading opens avenues for more accurate characterization of material yield criteria and failure mechanisms under dynamic multiaxial conditions.
A review of equivalent loading test techniques for simulating explosion load
YAO Shujian, WANG Yanjing, CHEN Yikai, CHEN Feipeng, WANG Zhifu, ZHANG Duo
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0040
Abstract:
Against the backdrop of rising global terrorism and industrial accidents, research on infrastructure safety under blast impact has become critically urgent. As a pivotal approach for investigating dynamic responses and damage characteristics of materials and structures subjected to explosive loading, the equivalent blast-loading techniques, which show safe, efficient, and accurate, have emerged as both a research frontier and challenge. This review synthesizes advancements in equivalent blast-loading techniques for far-field explosion simulation, encompassing explosive-driven shock tubes, high-pressure gas-driven shock tubes, drop-weight impact testing machines, and hydraulically-actuated simulators. While each technique exhibits distinct advantages and limitations in simulating blast shockwaves, all strive to establish controlled and secure experimental environments that reproduce high-velocity air flow fields and pressure waves generated by explosions. Through comparative assessment, their performance in load replication fidelity, applicability, and operational efficiency are elucidated, alongside discussions on implementation challenges and potential. Finally, a novel blast simulation technique leveraging liquid-gas phase-transition-driven expansion is introduced and the follow-up research directions are prospected.
Machine learning-driven low-velocity impact response prediction and multi-objective optimization of origami metamaterial sandwich
HAN Sihao, LI Chunlei, SU Buyun, JING Lin, HAN Qiang, YAO Xiaohu
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0282
Abstract:
Inspired by the hybrid topology design that integrates Miura origami and star-shaped honeycomb, this study proposes a novel origami metamaterial sandwich and employs machine learning to predict low-velocity impact response and perform multi-objective optimization. Through drop-weight impact experiments and finite element simulations, the dynamic mechanical response and deformation failure modes of the sandwich under low-velocity impact are systematically investigated. The results demonstrate that the origami-inspired topologies effectively transform the instantaneous complete fracture of traditional honeycombs into progressive crushing failure, thereby significantly enhancing impact resistance. Subsequently, a residual connection-enhanced deep learning model is developed, enabling rapid and precise end-to-end prediction of the complete low-velocity impact response, with computational efficiency substantially surpassing that of finite element simulations. Parameterized analysis based on this model reveals the regulatory mechanisms of key angle parameters on impact response and effective density. Particularly, angle variations induce a load redistribution phenomenon between panel tension-compression deformation and crease bending deformation, allowing the metamaterial to switch between bearing and buffering protective functions. This provides a mechanism basis for actively controlling impact response and failure modes. Furthermore, by integrating reinforcement learning and Pareto front analysis, the trained deep learning model served as a surrogate model to achieve lightweight multi-objective optimization tailored for load-bearing and impact-mitigation protection requirements. At similar effective densities, the metamaterial enables broad-range tuning of peak force, offering significant advantages for developing customized protective structures for diverse scenarios. This research not only establishes a solid foundation for creating customizable high-performance impact protection structures but also advances the field toward a new paradigm of intelligent, on-demand design.
Blast damage assessment model of PC slabs based on XGBoost
ZHAO Chunfeng, WU Yixiu, XIANG Siqi, LI Xiaojie
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0250
Abstract:
Prefabricated building structures have been widely applied in civil engineering due to their advantages of energy conservation, environmental protection, controllable quality, and efficient construction. As the core load-bearing components of prefabricated building structures, precast reinforced concrete (PC) slabs are vulnerable to threats from gas explosions, industrial explosions, and terrorist attacks. To accurately assess the damage state of PC slabs under explosion, enhance structural blast resistance, and reduce casualties, an explosion response dataset of PC slabs was constructed. Six geometric parameters (slab thickness/length/width, steel reinforcement ratio, compressive strength of concrete, etc.) and two explosion load parameters (explosive weight and explosive distance) were selected as input features. Three machine learning algorithms (GPR, RF, and XGBoost) were used to predict the maximum displacement of PC slabs, and their prediction accuracies are compared by root mean square error, coefficient of determination, mean absolute error, scattering index, and comprehensive performance objective function. Furthermore, a damage classification evaluation model based on the support rotation angle damage criterion is proposed. The performance differences of the model under three criteria are analyzed by confusion matrix and five classification indices (accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and Kappa coefficient), and compared with simplified models and empirical prediction methods. The research results indicate that in terms of maximum displacement prediction for PC slabs under explosion loads, the XGBoost model demonstrates the best performance among the three machine learning models (GPR、RF and XGBoost). Specifically, the fitting degree of XGBoost is superior to those of GPR and RF models. Meanwhile, and the XGBoost shows the most outstanding comprehensive performance, with a damage recognition accuracy of 92.5%, which demonstrates its high-efficiency in identifying different damage types. The XGBoost-based damage classification evaluation model for PC slabs under explosion loads exhibits powerful performance, providing important references for structural blast resistance design and rapid post-blast damage assessment.
Combustible gas leakage and diffusion prediction based on graph neural network
FENG Bin, GUAN Shaokun, CHEN Li, FANG Qin
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0154
Abstract:
Gas leakage and explosion accidents pose a serious threat to public safety. A critical prerequisite for accurately predicting the explosive effects of combustible gas leakage lies in determining the concentration distribution following the leakage. To develop a real-time, full-field spatiotemporal prediction model for combustible gas leakage and diffusion, and to achieve efficient prediction of the equivalent gas cloud volume, a novel graph neural network model based on a dual-neural-network architecture and a multi-stage training strategy, named multi-stage dual graph neural network (MSDGNN), was proposed. The MSDGNN model consists of two synergistic sub-networks: (1) a concentration network (Ncon), which establishes the mapping relationship between the concentration fields of two consecutive timesteps, and (2) a volume network (Nvol), which generates the equivalent gas cloud volume at each timestep to provide a quantitative metric for explosion risk assessment. To further enhance model performance, a multi-stage progressive training strategy was developed to jointly optimize the dual networks. Experimental results demonstrate that compared with mesh-based graph network (MGN), the dual-network architecture effectively decouples the tasks of concentration field prediction and equivalent gas cloud volume prediction. This approach significantly mitigates the interference of weight factors in single-objective loss functions during the training process. The multi-stage training strategy, through stepwise parameter optimization, addresses the issue of insufficient data fitting encountered in traditional methods, significantly reducing the mean absolute percentage error \begin{document}$ {{ \varepsilon }}_{\rm{MAPE}} $\end{document} for concentration fields and equivalent gas cloud volumes from 49.47% and 108.93% to 7.55% and 9.07%, respectively. Furthermore, the generalization error of MSDGNN for concentration fields and equivalent gas cloud volumes is reduced from 41.18% and 38.81% to 8.01% and 14.92%, respectively. In addition, MSDGNN exhibits robust prediction performance even when key parameters such as leakage rate, leakage height, and leakage duration exceed the range of training data. Compared with numerical simulation methods, the proposed model achieves a three-order-of-magnitude improvement in computational efficiency while maintaining prediction accuracy, providing an effective real-time analytical tool for combustible gas safety monitoring.
Experimental study on the impact resistance of ultra-high- strength spherical structures
YANG Xiaoyu, CHEN Wanxiang, HUANG Junxuan, XU Zhengyang, CHEN Jianying, JIE Haoru
, Available online  , doi: 10.11883/bzycj-2025-0134
Abstract:
To explore the anti-penetration abilities of irregular structures made of high-strength alloy steel, a target enhanced with ultra-high-strength spherical structures (UHS-SS) was manufactured in this work. The UHS-SS is fabricated from ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS) and mechanically anchored to the target via threaded high-tensile rods, ensuring structural integrity under projectile penetration loading. A series of penetration tests at an impact velocity of 400 m/s was performed using a 125 mm diameter cannon. The yaw-induced projectile deflection was recorded at 5000 s−1, and the failure mode and penetration depth of the projectile were obtained. Through a comparative analysis of anti-penetration experimental results between semi-infinite concrete targets and UHS-SS-reinforced targets, the influences of ultra-high mechanical performances and the spherical yaw-inducing structure on the deflection and fragmentation of the projectile were disclosed. The test results reveal that at a penetration velocity of 400 m/s, the dimensionless penetration depth of the UHS-SS target is 0.11, and the penetration resistance of the UHS-SS target is about 9 times that of C40 concrete. The anti-penetration performance of UHS-SS is significantly enhanced in comparison to that of the ordinary concrete target. Furthermore, as the projectile penetrates the UHS-SS target, the resultant force on the projectile is in a different direction from that of the projectile velocity, which can deflect and shatter the projectile. The behavior of ricocheting off the surface, deflection-induced secondary impact, and fragmentation of the projectile occurred during the anti-penetration test of the UHS-SS target, and the maximal deflection angle was 83º during the experiment, preventing the projectile from penetrating the interior of the protective structure. The UHS-SS target has a severe erosion effect on the projectile at a lower speed of 400m/s, which resulted in a mass loss rate of 23.66% in the experiment. Therefore, the risk of a ground-penetrating weapon penetrating the protective works and detonating is significantly reduced.