Using optical diagnostics for near field blast testing

The ability to measure the structural and material response to air-blast loading is vital to developing a proper understanding of near-field blast loading and response. Computational modelling has advanced significantly but, until recently, experimental techniques lagged behind. This paper discusses recent advances in these experimental techniques. The first part describes a bilateral test programme between the UK and South Africa. The high-speed imaging and digital image correlation system at Cape Town gives repeatable and accu-rate impulse distributions across a central strip of a panel, useful for model validation. Flexural wave behaviour was observed from the transient velocity and displacement profiles, giving good insights into the mechanics of plate response from blast loads. The second part demonstrates the value of high-speed stereo-imaging for meas-uring the transient response of blast loaded fibre reinforced polymer panels and sandwich structures. The peak displacements. elastic rebounds and transient oscillations provide valuable insights into the damage propagation within these types of structures. The final part of the paper describes some of the continued developments since the success of those early trials, resulting in a new optical diagnostics for blast capability at the University of Sheffield. The imaging system operates at higher frame rates and can cover a wider region of interest on the structure. Ultra-high speed imaging is also shown to be a useful tool for visualising detonations fronts in explosive charges and the expanding fireball.