Dynamic behavior of porous graphite under laser-induced shocks

The present study focuses on developing reliable numerical models to describe the mechanical behavior of isotropic polycrystalline graphite subjected to laser shocks. Isotropic graphite of nuclear grade, which was extensively used in Beam Intercepting Devices of particle accelerators, is characterized by a high porosity enabling effective absorption of laser-induced shockwaves. Accurate numerical models which aim at describing shockwaves traveling inside porous graphite must take into account the effect of pores on the structural response of the material. In this work the Fu Chang foam material model was calibrated to capture the behavior of R4550 graphite. Based on the foam material model, hydrodynamic simulations were developed and compared to experimental data from literature and from PHELIX experimental campaign.