Effects of Foam Claddings for Structure Protection against Blast Loads

A load-cladding-structure (LCS) model is developed to investigate the protective effects of foam claddings on the main structure subjected to blast loads. The properties of the blast load and the foam cladding as well as the main structure are all considered in the analytical model. Two nondimensional parameters are introduced to describe the relations between the foam cladding and the main structure. Parametric study by characterizing the pressure-impulse diagrams for structures with and without foam cladding is carried out. Based on the LCS model and the pressure-impulse diagram analysis, the maximum allowable intensity of the blast load can be predicted for a given cladding protected structure. Equally, the foam cladding can be appropriately designed to protect a particular structure against a certain range blast load. It is found that the blast resisting capacity of the structure system may be greatly enhanced if the foam cladding is properly designed. The maximum allowable external blast load depends on the properties of the particular foam cladding and the specific main structure.