Blast disruption using 3D grids/perforated plates for vehicle protection

In this work, blast disruption and mitigation using 3D grids/perforated plates were tested for underbelly and side protection of vehicles. Two vehicle simulants were used: a small-scale one for side vehicle protection assessment and a true-to-scale simulant for underbelly protection testing. The deformation of target plates was assessed. These were either unprotected or protected by three different types of disruptors. The first disruptor was made of a sandwich structure of two perforated plates filled with a thin aluminum structure allowing the air to pass through. The two other disruptors were made of pieces of cast metallic foam. Two different kinds of foams were used: one with large cells and the second one with small cells. Beforehand, the mitigation efficiency of the disruptors was evaluated using an explosive-driven shock tube (EDST). The experiments showed that blast disruption/mitigation by 3D grid/perforated plate structures was not suitable for vehicle side protection. However, 3D grids/perforated structures proved to be relatively effective for underbelly protection compared to an equivalent mass of steel.