A computational study of segmented tungsten rod penetration into a thick steel target plate at high velocities

Abstract

Abstract. This paper presents results from numerical simulations of a configuration in which a tungsten heavy alloy SRP penetrates a thick RHA 4340 steel at 2.6 km/s using the 2006 version of the Lagrangian finite element code EPIC. Penetration experimental data show improved penetration efficiency by the segmented projectiles when compared to monolithic (single solid rod) projectiles. For SRP with an aspect ratio (L/D) = 1/8, a loss in penetration efficiency was seen upon successive segment impacts. The projectile configuration considered in this study was collinear impacts of eight successive discs which measured 2mm in thickness and 16mm in diameter. The EPIC simulations considered a range of parameters that influenced the Depth of Penetration (DOP) including element-particle conversion, spacing and number of segments, failure criteria, impact velocity, and mesh resolution. The EPIC results are also compared with open-literature DOP data from simulations using an Eulerian finite element code, AUTODYN for a similar configuration. In addition, the effects of back-flowing ejecta generated by the impact of first segment on the penetration processes of subsequent segments were studied in details. An alternate SRP design is proposed in this paper to alleviate the ejecta problem.