An implicit finite element material model for energetic particulate composite materials

The predisposition of energetic particulate composite materials, or high explosives (HE), to ignition by bulk heating (cooko ) poses serious safety problems. Because unexpected initiation of HE must be a major con- sideration in any activity involving employment of the material, its behaviour under a variety of conditions is of much interest. The formulation of a numerical constitutive model that can be employed in an im- plicit nite element code to predict the mechanical and ignition behaviour of HE is presented. The capab- ility of the developed material model is then demonstrated through its implementation in the ABAQUS nite element code to simulate the response of HE test con gurations. The simulated response is found to compare favourably with the physical test results, in the cases where test data exist.