In-silico experimentations of multimode shock response of polyurea

•The laser-induced waves generate accompanying waves at edges of loading site, e.g., induced pressure waves also generate shear and side spherical patterns pressure waves.•The computational results demonstrate that the purity of loading type will depend on the geometrical configuration of the sample and delay of concurrent input waves.•Depending on the targeted failure mechanism or stress state, in-silico experimentation of multimode shock waves can be done prior to or in tandem the physical experiment to determine parameters such as geometrical dimensions and loading type. Computational studies can supplement existing ultrahigh strain rate experimental techniques in the absence of invasive full-field measurement and visualization. In this study, a computational model is employed to elucidate various phenomena accompanying the generation, propagation, and interaction of multimode shock waves in a viscoelastic material. Specifically, a 4 mm diameter polyurea plug with a thickness of 0.5 mm was modeled as a linear viscoelastic solid, where the relaxation behavior of the shear modulus was described using a Prony series while the bulk modulus was assumed to be linear elastic based on the Poisson's ratio of polyurea. The results are presented in three case studies, where a different type of shock wave was emphasized in each case while focusing on the regions at the leading and trailing edges of the shock wavefront. Generally, the wavefront interacted with the accompanying and reflected waves, resulting in compromising the purity of the sought-after loading condition, especially during the return trip of the wave upon approaching the free surface. In Case Study I, the propagation of laser-induced pressure wave remained pure during the forward trip towards the free surface but was compromised by the accompanying shear wave and side spherical patterned pressure waves. Case Study II simulated the generation of surface waves by incorporating a ring-shaped loading site, where the release of a surface displacement was found to be focused and amplified at the central point. In the final case study, Case Study III, the applied shear wave at ultrahigh strain rate generated secondary pressure and horizontal shear waves at the edges of the loading site, which complicated the loading scenario but provided new insight into the interaction of laser-generated shock waves within the solid. The results can be used to improve the analysis of experimental data to quantify the acco