Analysis of influence of the shape of protective structures on their energy-absorbing capabilities

The paper presents results of numerical investigation of the influence of the shape of a protective element on its energy-absorbing capabilities from the point of view of its resistance to the impact of a shock wave. The works carried out so far confirm that – as far as the energy-absorbing capabilities are concerned – the shape of the protective element is an important factor. In the paper, results of numerical analysis of basic protective structures in the shape of pyramids, cones and hemispheres were presented. In the numerical models under consideration, dimensions of the base and height of the element were settled. The shape of the base determines the lateral surface of a cone. For the settled dimensions, a cone has the smallest area of the lateral surface and a sphere – the largest. For the models of basic structures, computations were performed with the use of the Dytran programme. As a result of the analysis, deformation of the structures, energy of deformation, velocities and accelerations were obtained. In the paper, a criterion for the assessment of energy absorption capabilities was proposed. It consisted in comparing the results for plates with a protection structure with those for a basic smooth plate in order to assess the level of energy absorbed by the protected plate with respect to the basic one (without protection).The comparison of results for the basic plate and the one with a spherical element shows that the application of the structure would cause the relative displacement of the plate protected a spherical element 50 percent lower than the relative displacement of the plate without protection.