Effect of loading conditions and initial state on the spall fracture of an explosive RDX-based compound

Results from examination of the spall fracture of GTK-70 explosive compound under shock loading are reported. Specimens 20 and 30 mm thick were impacted by 1.0-mm-thick steel plates accelerated by an explosion to velocities of 180–370 m/sec. Calculations of the loading conditions and spall fracture of the specimens are performed in an elastoplastic formulation. An analysis of the data obtained yields a simple empirical relation among the maximum tensile stress in the spall plane, the stress gradient in the tensile pulse, and the maximum stress in the loading shock wave. Normalization of the specimens leads to a certain decrease in the fracture load.