Applied element method analysis of porous GFRP barrier subjected to blast

Numerical analysis of highly dynamic phenomena represents a critical field of study and application for structural engineering as it addresses extreme loading conditions on buildings and the civil infrastructure. In fact, large deformations and material characteristics of elements and structures different from those exhibited under static loading conditions are important phenomena to be accounted for in numerical analysis. The present paper describes the results of detailed numerical analyses simulating blast tests conducted on a porous (i.e. discontinuous) glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) barrier aimed at the conception, validation and deployment of a protection system for airport infrastructures against malicious disruptions. The numerical analyses herein presented were conducted employing the applied element method (AEM). This method adopts a discrete crack approach that allows auto cracking, separation and collision of different elements in a dynamic scheme, where fully nonlinear path-dependant constitutive material models are adopted. A comparison with experimental results is presented and the prediction capabilities of the software are demonstrated.