Experimental and Coupled Eulerian and Lagrangian Numerical Modeling of Ground Contact Explosions

The present work conducts an experimental and numerical analysis of crater formation resulting from contact surface explosions in soil, utilizing the Coupled Eulerian and Lagrangian (CEL) approach. The crater formation caused by the detonation of an explosive in soil, including shock and elastic-plastic wave propagation in soil, has been numerically simulated using the CEL method. An explosive equivalent to TNT was detonated in direct contact with the soil to examine crater shape, specifically diameter and depth. The numerical model was constructed to correspond with experimental conditions, and findings were compared. The JWL state equations were employed to delineate the properties of the explosive material. The mechanical characteristics of the explosive and soil materials were delineated utilizing the Mohr-Coulomb model, and the deformations acquired via the CEL approach were compared with experimental data. The ejecta generated in the soil due to the explosion, the dimensions of the crater, and the propagation of the shock wave significantly influence soil behavior. This study offers critical insights into soil behavior relevant to defense sector applications and incidents involving explosions, whether accidental or terrorist in cause.