Numerical simulation was carried out on plane plates using ANSYS/LS-DYNA for the experimental results of two papers [Rajendran R, Narasimhan K. Linear elastic shock response of plane plates subjected to underwater explosion. Int J Impact Eng 2001;25:493–506 and Rajendran R, Narasimhan K. Performance evaluation of HSLA steel subjected to underwater explosion. J Mater Eng Perform 2001;10:66–74]. Simulation was in good agreement with experiment for the elastic response whereas predicted inelastic deflection was nearly half of that of the experimental observation due to reloading phenomenon.