Comparison of the Energy Absorption Effect by the Difference of the Flexible Materials

Abstract

Protective structures as rope nets and sheets/plates have been used against tornado debris in nuclear power plants. However, energy absorption of such flexible structures has not been exhaustively studied. To compare the energy absorption of different flexible protective structures, a comprehensive study of both rope nets and sheets/plates subjected to drop weight impacts has been carried out. An aramid fiber rope net has been modeled with beam finite elements and a cable material. A steel plate has been modeled with shell finite elements and an elastic-plastic material. And, an aramid fiber sheet has been modeled with membrane finite elements and a fabric material. The simulation results showed that the aramid fiber rope net and sheet absorb energy locally in the impact zone, while the steel plate absorbs energy also by plastic deformations outside the impact zone. However, both materials have the same level of energy absorption.