ABSTRACT
The act of welding on aluminium plates results in an important phenomenon known as Heat Affected Zone (HAZ). This chapter examines the effect of HAZ on the response of impulsively loaded aluminium plates. The temperature that aluminium reaches during the welding process is dependent on the distance from the weld. The adverse effects of the HAZ load carrying capacity of aluminium alloy plates have been demonstrated in many studies, particularly for the case of axial compressive loads. The effect of the welded boundaries on the blast impact response of mild steel plates has been assessed in D. Bonorchis & G. N. Nurick, but for marine grade aluminium alloy plates, there exists virtually no studies for the case impulsive pressure loads. Each aluminium alloy grade has a different set of properties, and can find application in a wide range of engineering structures. For dynamic pressure loading of marine grade aluminium alloy plates, the equations presented in B. C. Cerik are applicable.
