Blast Loaded Buried Arches

Within the range of parameters investigated, the scaling of the variables associated with the motion of the tested arch floor and the maximum thrust and bending moment are adequately verified. The acceleration, velocity, and displacement of the arch floor scale closely for the response times considered. The variations in thrust and moment from the predicted curve are attributed to model distortions. Four semicircular fixed-end aluminum alloy arches with 4-in., 8-in., 12-in., and 36-in. diameter were buried in dense, dry sand and subjected to air blast pressures at the surface ranging from 70 psi to 300 psi. The geometrically similar arches were tested simultaneously to provide the same pressure on all four arches. The distortion in time was considered insignificant. The series of tests were conducted to investigate and verify model-to-prototype scaling relations for blast loaded buried arches in the elastic and inelastic range of response.