Objectives  With the development of modern ship technology and the higher requirement for the ship hull's own resistance capability to the anti-ship weapons, the composite materials have been more widely used in warship protective structure. In order to analyze anti-explosion performance of protective structures with Kevlar materials under the action of explosion in cabin,

  Methods  based on the finite element model from full-scale ship compartment with multi decks, a structural model of the cabin between two decks is established, and armored protective structure with Kevlar materials is laid inside the surrounding wall of the cabin. The dynamic response and damage of the armored protective structure with Kevlar materials under the action of explosion are calculated in this way. In order to correctly simulate the material properties of the anisotropy of Kevlar materials, the armored protective layer is established by solid elements. The upper unit nodes of the surrounding wall and unit nodes of the Kevlar materials are constrained by 'tie' to make these two types of nodes move together.

  Results  The bulkhead without protective material is completely torn and destroyed by explosion load, while the bulkhead with protective material is only partially torn and destroyed in the position where shock wave is directly impacting.

  Conclusions  By comparing and analyzing the cabin damage characteristics of different explosion initiation positions as well as armored protective structure with or without Kevlar materials, the anti-explosion protective design of the cabin can be supported to some extent.