European Journal of Scientific Research

ISSN 1450-216X Vol.46 No.4 (2010), pp.554-562

EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2010
http://www.eurojournals.com/ejsr.htm

Analytical and Numerical Study on Explosion into/on

Cohesion less Soils
Hamed Niroumand
Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering
University Technology Malaysia
E-mail:niroumandh@gmail.com
Khairul Anuar Kassim
Deputy Dean, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University Technology Malaysia
Abstract
The article reviews the analytical and numerical studies of explosion into/on
cohesion less soils during the last forty years. Various numerical methods for estimating of
behavior of soils during explosion have been developed. This paper discusses different
theories and numerical studies on explosion into/on cohesion less soils by previous
researchers. Analyses were beginning from E. B. Polyak and E. N. Sher (1978), A. T.
Rodionov and A. G. Terent'ev (1985) until the most recent analysis such as H. Niroumand
(2009) are reviewed. This analysis was pioneered by Absil et al (1997), Dorn et al. (1999),
Williams et al. (2000), Laine, L., et al. (2001), Niekerk (2001), Wang (2001), Cheng et al.
(2002), Fairlie et al. (2002), Gupta (2002), Jacko et al. (2002), Persson et al. (2003),
Rhijnsburger (2003), Fierov et al (2004), S.O. Olofsson(2007) and H. Niroumand(2009)
will also be discussed. The results include most recent theories and numerical studies that
accompanied by experimental results.

Keywords: Explosion, Numerical Analysis, JWL, Cohesion less Soil, Analytical, Euler,
Lagrange

Introduction
The last years, some researchers have been tries to research explosion and different loads in order to
safety the design underground structures and design of different vehicles used in military. Simulation
of the performance of soil subjected to close-in explosion of explosives materials a challenge for
different reasons. Its important to study the interaction between the explosion and soil response
because different structures affected by soil deformation subject to detonations. In recent years it
implemented the Eulerian mesh and multi-material option which has extended its modeling capacity
and enabled a comprehensive technique to become feasible. The simulation and numerical analysis is
very important in this research. The numerical simulations allow the approach to a reasonable
configuration; minimize the number of the experimental cases, saving considerable amounts of cost
and time. Finite element method (FEM) studies are widely used in defense related engineering
analyses, such as high velocity impact and penetration. Protection of army vehicles and personnel
against landmine threats is an important issue in the area of defense research. Responses of the vehicle
being subjected to various explosions loading can be iteratively modeled using codes and appropriate

Analytical and Numerical Study on Explosion into/on Cohesion less Soils

555

numerical techniques. This approach reduces the cost of expensive experimental tests. Researchers use
numerical simulation to research various tasks with different focus such as (a) injury of occupants, (b)
design of vehicle components and (c) attenuation material.
Numerical analysis and simulations dealing with explosion are summarized in Table1. The
table focuses on parameters depend to blast loading. Analytical and Numerical analyses of the effect of
sand conditions and the depth of buried explosive undertaken by Laine et al.(2001) presented the
following conclusions: A buried explosive gives a much lower maximum pressure acting over a long
duration than the flush and surface-laid explosive. In contrast, the incident impulse of a buried
explosive was the highest at distances above the ground less than 1m. Blast loading caused by a buried
explosive is concentrated in the vertical direction more than a surface explosive that is more spatially
spread. Thus, it can be stated that the effect of soil condition has a great in flounce on the pressure and
impulse during explosion. Although, these numerical simulations were not validated by experimental
data and details on soil were not presented.
A methodology for simulating soil explosion is presented by Fairlie et al (2002). Firstly, two
approaches in AUTODYN-2D were investigated for modeling high explosive:
(1) Multi-material Euler solver employing Jones-Wilkins-Lee, (JWL) equation of state (EOS)
for detonation products,
(2) Single material Euler solver employing ideal gas equation of state for detonation products.
It was observed that prediction of the aim momentum is consistent. Therefore, further modeling
and analysis used the ideal gas equation of state approach for detonation products. He used in the
experiments conducted by Bergeron et al (2000) was modeled in AUTODYN-3D. The Lagrangian grid
was filled using the cohesion less soil model derived by Laine et al (2001).By comparing the numerical
results with experimental data, it was concluded that the impulse from a mine buried in dry cohesion
less soil was over estimated by 24% respectively by the numerical model. Therefore, varying sand
parameters, namely moisture content and initial density amplifies the impulse generated by the mine.
Numerical results obtained by Wang (2001) were compared with field results performed by
Bergeron et al (2000). Comparison shows that the numerical predictions of positive phase duration and
the displacement of ejecta front over estimated experiments by 36% and 10% respectively. The
findings are on the same plane in the case of a surface explosion as well. Both field investigation and
numerical analyses play significant roles in this research. The analysis helped minimize the number of
the experimental tests required, which are usually very costly, and also help to interpret the test results.
Once verified by the field tests, it can be used as a design tool for the consequent improvement of the
system under research. Modeling of landmine explosion is highly complicated, involving an explosion
causing shock wave propagation in soil and air and then interaction with a structure. A simulation
modeling tool needs to incorporate adequately these challenging factors. Ls-Dyna3d software appeared
to be a suitable code currently available for its research. Since a number of assumptions and numeric
approximation techniques are employed in Ls - Dyna, verification is important for each problem. Wang
in his report described a benchmark case applying Dyna to simulate an explosion in soil and air. The
simulation is compared with results from a well-defined landmine-explosion field. The agreement was
reasonably good. This work had provided a base for further modeling and analysis of a system
involving a structure, such as an army vehicle, subject to a landmine explosion.

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Hamed Niroumand and Khairul Anuar Kassim

Figure 1: 100gr Simulated Anti-Personnel Mine Change Configuration of Field Tests by J. Wang (2001)

Figure 2: Finite Element Mesh (DOB = 3cm) by J. Wang (2001)

A part from the peak pressure and positive phase duration, the modeling agrees well with field
results. Further analysis was suggested by Wang in area of cell size sensitivity and the feasibility of an
empirical JWL EOS.
The response of a box-like structure to an explosion was studied by Cheng et al (2002).The
cohesion less soil was considered as a rigid surface which allowed reflection but no refraction.
Researchers assumed that this simplification would result in a greater loading of the structure over a
model that incorporates cohesion less soil in its parameters. In the contrast, Laine et al (2001) Bergeron
et al (2000) observed that buried explosion have given higher loading and larger deformation than the
surface explosion. Numerical analysis had not been supported by experimental evidence. Unfortunately
details about the structure and metallic material are not available.

Analytical and Numerical Study on Explosion into/on Cohesion less Soils

557

Williams et al (2000) investigated the floor deflection of a vehicle using a simple empirical
impulse model for cohesion less soil. This was obtained to generate an initial velocity boundary
condition, in spite of their using finite element method software, LS-DYNA-3D. The only variable
sand parameter of the model was density (2170kg.m).No other soil properties were incorporated in the
model to predict pressure loading and momentum transfer. This setting resulted in a plate deformation
of 578mm, while experimental results presented a deformation of 287mm. This obvious discrepancy
was due to the fact that energy absorption mechanism of sand was not implemented into the empirical
model used.
Another notable effort, Gupta is an algorithm derived from the empirical-based code CONWEP
and implemented into the finite element method software LS-DYNA, in order to generate explosion
overpressure loading on a panel. When results of simulations that focused on the response of a plate are
not in good agreement with field data ,i.e. the value of deformation, it has been concluded that further
study of the plate model needs to be carried out or simple scale-up of the explosive material is done.
T. Rodionov and A. G. Terent'ev (1985), One of the simple mathematical models in the theory
of the deformation of continuous media in an blast is the solid-liquid model. This does not describe the
dynamics of the soil and so enables us to determine only approximate characteristics of the crater. This
model has now been used to study a wide range of problems in determining a crater in a continuous
medium with various tensile characteristic and various positions of the explosive. Authors considered
below within the framework of the solid- liquid model boundary-value problems in determining a
crater in the blasts of point explosives and uniformly distributed explosives on the surface and deep
within an isotropic cohesion less soils with angular and curvilinear free boundaries.
E. B. Polyak and E. N. Sher (1978), The basic idea proposed in i of the solid-liquid model of an
explosion in the ground consists in that in regions close to the blast the tensile forces are small in
comparison with the pressure and the inertial loading, and the medium here can be assumed to be ideal.
High velocities and displacements (liquid zone) were characteristic for that zone. These areas were
separated by a transition layer. As a first approximation, it is assumed that it layer is infinitely thin and
is a sealed boundary for the moving ideal medium. If the compressibility of the soil is neglected, then
for the incompressible ideal medium in the liquid zone of the blast a pulsed formulation is applicable,
in which the action of the blast is described in terms of the pressure pulse exerted on the medium by
the blast products.
Figure 3: The Craters Profiles by E. B. Polyak and E. N. Sher (1978),

It can be seen from Figure2 that this theory enables the experimental shapes of the craters
obtained in soils by the blast of a surface cord charge to be described satisfactorily.

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Hamed Niroumand and Khairul Anuar Kassim

S.O. Olofsson(2007) modeled impact of explosive load that it considede in the design of civil
defense structures. Blast occurring below soil level generates a ground shock wave that effects buried
structures in the proximity of the blast point. The program code FLAC suggested an opportunity to
model the propagation of soil shock waves as well as interaction soil-structures. These researchers
present the procedure setup of a numerical model against field test for a buried explosion. Explosion
effected from a conventional bomb were estimated by using CONWEP that it is a field data compiled
by the U.S. Army (US Army, 1986).
Figure 4: Location of Experimental Points Relative to the Center of Explosive by S.O. Olofsson(2007)

Figure 5: Model Dimensions and Boundary Conditions by S.O. Olofsson(2007)

Fierov et al (2004), investigated an approach that mirrors this requirement was presented in
its research. The blast of an antitank mine is modeled and analyzed by using the non-linear dynamics
analysis code program, AUTODYN. The initial simulation setup included of a hemispherical charge
laid on a perfectly reflective plane. Two equations of state for explosive materials were investigated,

Analytical and Numerical Study on Explosion into/on Cohesion less Soils

559

with the first one being the commonly obtained to empirical equation of state, Jones-Wilkins-Lee
(JWL). The second research applied the ideal gas equation of state, often advanced for simplification in
complicated models. The mesh sensitivity research was carried out. Two parameters of explosion
waves, namely maximum pressure and specific impulse, are evaluated and compared with accessible
experimental data used from CONWEP. Consequently, a blast of a mine laid on cohesion less soil was
modeled using JWL EOS and explosion parameters were compared with the last model.
Figure 6: Material Location for Explosion in Various Deployments in Dry Sand by Fierov et al (2004)

H. Niroumand(2009), simulated the dispersion behavior of sand subjected to explosion on the

surface of a sand layer. The simulation was conducted using AUTODYN. Explosion effects from an
explosive were achieved by using the code program Conventional Weapon Effects Backfill
(CONWEB), which is based on field data compiled by the U.S.army (US Army, 1986). Three different
governing equations were used for air, sand and explosive. Ideal gas equation was used to equate the
movement of air and the dry sand was based on compaction effort. For the explosion, the JWL (JonesWilkins-Lee) equation was used. Author presented the effect of explosion on the crater depth, crater
diameter and overpressure exerted on sand and the surrounding air. The results had shown that crater
depth and diameter increase with time during explosion. The experimental data on crater depth
however were initially lower than the numerical simulation but increased more than the numerical
simulation after 30ms. The overpressure showed a reducing trend with time. The numerical simulation
based on AUTODYN predicted higher crater depth and overpressure at the initial stage but showed a
good agreement with the experimental data with time.

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Hamed Niroumand and Khairul Anuar Kassim

Figure 7: Material Position During Explosion in 1.36ms by H.Niroumand(2009)

Analytical and Numerical Study on Explosion into/on Cohesion less Soils

Table 1:

561

Analytical and Numerical Studies on Explosion into/on Cohesion less Soils

E. B. Polyak and E. N.
Sher (1978)
A. T. Rodionov and A. G.
Terent'ev (1985)
Absil et al (1997)
Dorn et al. (1999)
Williams et al. (2000)
Laine, L., et al. (2001)
Niekerk (2001)
Wang (2001)
Cheng et al. (2002)
Fairlie et al. (2002)
Gupta (2002)
Jacko et al. (2002)
Persson et al. (2003)
Rhijnsburger (2003)
Fierov et al (2004)
S.O.Olofsson(2007)
H. Niroumand(2009)

Mathematical model

Solid Liquid model

Rigid surface

Mathematical model

Solid Liquid model

Rigid surface

2
8
10

475gr Composition B
7.5kg C4
10.4 kg Composition B
800gr Pentolite
100gr C4
5 kg TNT

Cohesion less soil

Cohesion less soil
Cohesion less soil
Rigid surface

25
10

1 kg C4
907.2gr Pentolite
500gr TNT
0.125/0.5/1/4 kg PETN
10kg TNT
100gr TNT
100gr TNT

Cohesion less soil

Rigid surface
Cohesion less soil
Cohesion less soil

AUTODYN
FLUENT and LS-DYNA
LS-DYNA
AUTODYN
MSC. Dytran
LS-DYNA
AUTODYN and MSC.
Dytran
AUTODYN
LS-DYNA
AUTODYN
AUTODYN
LS-DYNA
AUTODYN
FLAC
AUTODYN

Conclusion
Some of last researchers were reported dealing with numerical / simulation analysis of the limiting
different numerical methods and code programs in explosion into/on cohesion less soils. The
investigation shows that sand properties and depth of buried explosive significantly influence
explosion output. So, it is important to investigate the sand properties along with the blast parameters.
Some of the research work reported did not include the cell size, detail of modeling. There for, it is
need to more research for prediction of behavior of cohesion less soils by new methods in numerical
analysis during explosion.

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