Three-dimensional FE simulation of the behavior of thin membrane with initiated defect

The thin membrane with initiated defect under uniform pressure is considered. This type of structure presents the opening diaphragm used in shock tubes. Initiated defect is presented by rectangular single edge notch, the layout of which is of the cross form in the membrane mid-plane. In order to capture the influence of the defect, the three-dimensional finite element model based on the large strain elastic-plastic approach is applied. The local structured mesh is used in the vicinity of the defect, while two-dimensional free meshing is applied for the remaining part of membrane. The quality of the 3D model was tested by comparing it with a 2D model for continuous plate with zero defect. This model was applied to investigate the influence of the defect depth on membrane behavior.