Experiments on blast protective systems using aluminum foam panels

Aluminum foams are lightweight energy absorption materials that are used to mitigate impact or shock pressure. In this paper, a blast-protection system which includes sacrificial panels and blast doors constructed using aluminum foams is described. Aluminum alloy foam was developed to enhance the mechanical properties of this system for improved blast pressure mitigation. Two blast tests were performed on aluminum foam panels, concrete walls with sacrificial claddings, and a lightweight blast door in order to evaluate the performance of the blast protection system. Due to the limited tensile strength of the foam, it should be used as sacrificial claddings. The infilled aluminum foam can decrease the permanent deformation of the panels, and decrease the plastic deformation by increasing the foam density. If the panels are properly anchored at the ends, they can have excellent blast resistance, even for localized high blast pressures, due to plastic deformation of the foam and membrane action of the cover plates. Test results of concrete walls strengthened by sacrificial claddings showed that the aluminum foam reduced blast pressure significantly. Even though the proposed blast resistant door is much lighter, it provided adequate protection to secure building occupants.