The blast resistance of glass- bre reinforced polymer (GFRP) sandwich struc-
tures has been investigated for increasing shock intensity and for multiple
blast exposures. In this study, sandwich panels of 1.6 m x 1.3 m were subjec-
ted to 30 kg charges of C4 explosive at stand-o distances from 8 m to 16 m.
These targets formed part of two studies presented here: one, to observe the
loading of the same geometry of target to an increasing shock intensity; and
the second, to observe the response of one target to multiple blast impacts.
Experimental data provides detailed data for sandwich panel response,
which are often used in civil and military structures, where air-blast load-
ing represents a serious threat. High-speed photography, with digital image
correlation (DIC), and laser gauge systems were employed to monitor the
deformation of these structures during the blasts. The experimental data
provides for the development of analytical and computational models. Ini-
tial analysis of the blast experiments are presented alongside a nite element
model to establish trends in deformation behaviour. Details of failure mech-
anisms and the conditions for the onset of failure are also discussed.