Usage of Single and Multi-Cellular Membranes to Characterize and Mitigate the Effects

of Impulse Loads on Structures

Ryan Byrd, Student Investigator (rbyrd@eng.utoledo.edu)

and

Naser Mostaghel, Professor (NMostag@UTNet.UToledo.Edu)

Department of Civil Engineering

The University of Toledo

Toledo, OH 43606-3390

Abstract

By utilizing the load-displacement stiffening properties of a compressed fluid filled membrane system and impulse momentum relations, the maximum pressure exerted on a structural surface by an impulsive load can be reduced by increasing duration of the load application. To simulate the application of a given impulse loading and characterize its effect on a structural panel, previous static and dynamic testing apparatuses, as well as an analytical model were refined for a single celled membrane system. Utilizing static compression test data, the analytical model predicts the reduced maximum pressure exerted on a panel. The dynamic impulse apparatus uses a gravity driven plate of known mass to impact the air filled rubber membrane to create a calculated impulse without explosives or compressed gasses. This can be used to show the mitigation properties of a given system, as well as safely and economically simulate impulse loads on panels for comparison. To counteract the effects of projectiles found in many impulse loads such a wind events or explosions, the use of a multi-cellular system is being investigated to ensure that a given panel would provide protection even if some cells of the panel were deflated. Static testing was again used to characterize the behavior of the multi-celled system and produce the analytical model to predict the results of dynamic impulse applications. Dynamic tests are to be preformed to draw comparisons between the effectiveness of single and multi-celled membranes.