Dynamical Response of Sandwich Plates with Strength Graded Cores to Blast Loading

A one-dimensional analytical scheme is developed for the dynamical response of sandwich plates having strength graded cores to shock impact. Results for in-air blast show that strength gradient distribution affects significantly the dynamic behavior of the sandwich. With fluid-structure interaction (FSI) taken into account, the approach is extended to underwater blast. It is demonstrated that whilst the influence of strength gradient distribution is noticeable on the impulse resistance, it depends strongly upon the core strength and FSI index. A gradient influence factor (GIF) is introduced to quantify the influence of different strength gradient distributions.