The Non-Stationary Dynamic Analytical Solution of a Spherical/Cylindrical Cavity Expansion

Abstract

Abstract A review of the pertinent literature related to the dynamic expansion of a spherical/cylindrical cavity shows that all the solutions with kinematic boundary conditions deal with a constant velocity at the cavity boundary. This paper develops a new general solution of the nonstationary dynamic problem of cavity expansion, which allows the application of time-dependent motion conditions at the cavity boundary. This solution can be used, for example, in the development of approximate approaches for projectiles penetrating with a non-constant velocity into different targets. Due to the complexity of the nonlinear nonstationary problem, an analytical solution of the problem may be developed if simplified constitutive relationships are used. In the present model, a simplified material model with a locked equation of state and a linear shear failure relationship is implemented. This solution may be applied to different materials such as concrete, soil, and rock. Special cases of the newly developed nonstationary solution are compared with different spherical and cylindrical cavity expansions solutions reported in the literature, and a good agreement is obtained. The capability of the present model is demonstrated in a following investigation of representative cases of cavity expansion with zero, constant, and variable acceleration of the cavity boundary. A significant difference in the stress variation for the different cases is shown. Along with the general solution which deals with an elastic–plastic region, a simplified solution which disregards the contribution of the elastic region is presented and the evaluation of the elastic region effect may be assessed.