The Effect of Lateral Compressive Stress on the Shock Dynamic Behavior of Silica Glass Using Molecular Dynamics

ABSTRACT The microstructural changes and spallation damage behavior of silica glass under shock loading at different levels of lateral compressive stress were investigated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. At the shock compression stage, higher lateral compressive stress promotes an increase in the proportions of five‐ and six‐coordinated silicon atoms, particularly at elevated impact velocities, where the structure transitions from tetrahedral to octahedral configurations. Furthermore, lateral compressive stress amplifies the shock stress, though its effect saturates beyond a critical threshold. At the reflected tension stage, lateral compressive stress enhances the spall strength of silica glass, with pronounced improvements at stress levels lower than 4 GPa. However, when lateral compressive stress exceeds 6 GPa, the enhancement in spall strength diminishes. With the increase of impact velocities, failure behaviors of silica glass change from classical spallation to micro‐spallation, accompanied by significant expansion of the damage region. This study further elucidates the spallation damage behavior of silica glass under varying lateral compressive stress levels, including transitions in spallation modes and propagation of the damage zone. These findings offer novel insights into the mechanical performance of compressed silica glass under impact and provide a strategy for strengthening glass performance in application.