Numerical Modeling of Shockwaves Driven by High-Energy Particle Beam Radiation in Tungsten-Made Structures

Abstract

The investigation of wave propagation in solids requires the development of reliable methods for the prediction of such dynamic events in which the involved materials cover wide ranges of different possible states, governed by plasticity, equation of state, and failure. In the present study, the wave propagation in metals generated by the interaction of high-energy proton beams with solids was considered. In this condition, axisymmetric waves were generated, and, depending on the amount of the delivered energy, different regimes (elastic, plastic, or shock) can be reached. Nonlinear numerical analyses were performed to investigate the material response. The starting point was the energy map delivered into the component as the consequence of the beam impact. The evolution of both hydrodynamic and mechanical quantities was followed starting from the impact and the effects induced on the hit component were investigated. The results showed the portion of the component close to the beam experiences pressure and temperature increase during the deposition phase. The remaining part of the component is traversed by the generated shockwave, which induces high values of strain in a short time or even the failure of the component.