  Numerical simulations of Aluminum (Al) and Tungsten (W) granular composite
rings under various dynamic loading conditions caused by explosive loading were
examined. Three competing mechanisms of fragmentation were observed: a
continuum level mechanism generating large macrocracks described by the
Grady-Kipp fragmentation mechanism, a mesoscale mechanism generating voids and
microcracks near the initially unbonded Al/W interfaces due to tensile strains,
and a mesoscale jetting due to the development of large velocity gradients
between the W particles and adjacent Al. These mesoscale mechanisms can be used
to tailor the size of the fragments by selecting an appropriate initial
mesostructure for a given loading condition.
