Shape optimization of solid isotropic plates to mitigate the effects of air blast loading

This article relates to the optimum shape of a solid isotropic plate to mitigate the effect of air blast loading, which comprises of a short duration pressure pulse. This article focuses on convergence aspects of the numerical procedure, well-posedness of the problem and effect of different boundary conditions. The plates are modeled using LS-DYNA with 3D hexahedral elements. The goal has been to minimize dynamic displacement while monitoring plastic strain values, mass, and envelope constraints. The optimum shape, a combination of deformation-based velocity fields, invariably results in a bottom bulge towards the charge. The shape of the top surface depends on various factors such as the mass limit and boundary conditions. Significant reduction in objective was achieved. Robust convergence of the numerical procedure is shown, as also the well-posedness of the problem formulation. A study with different boundary conditions along the edge has also been carried out.