Analytical and numerical simulations of ballistic impact on composite lightweight armours

Abstract

This paper summarizes the utilization of analytical and numerical computation as valuable tools for lightweight armour design optimisation. Several analytical models for ballistic impact simulation onto composites and ceramic faced targets have been developed at our department. This paper shows a few examples of the utilization of those models as well as numerical computations using commercial hydrocodes.

Analytical simulation of high-speed impact onto composite materials targets

“…This phenomenon could explain the experimental observations that the energy absorbed by the target during the impact is at a maximum for the ballistic limit, whereas it drops by a significant amount for impact velocities slightly higher than the ballistic limit. 4…”

“…Design optimisation of composite armours may be improved by an effective utilisation of analytical and numerical simulations that allow for a considerable reduction of experimental effort. 3,4 However, as pointed out by Silva et al, 5 numerical simulation of high-speed impact into composite materials is a difficult task due to the high number of parameters required to achieve reliable results. simply adjusted to match experimental results, thus reducing the predictive capacity of numerical simulation which is, in itself, a time-consuming procedure.…”

“…Analytical simulation provides useful results, such as ballistic limit V 50 (impact velocity for which 50% of shots perforate the target), residual mass and residual velocity of the projectile after perforation and trauma or back face signature (BFS), which is the deformation of the target after the impact. 4,6,7 Over the past decades, several analytical models have been proposed. Most have been based on the elementary ideas first proposed by Smith et al, 8 who analysed high-speed impact behaviour of a single yarn.…”

“…Design optimisation of composite armours may be improved by an effective utilisation of analytical and numerical simulations that allow for a considerable reduction of experimental effort. 3,4…”

“…Analytical simulation provides useful results, such as ballistic limit V 50 (impact velocity for which 50% of shots perforate the target), residual mass and residual velocity of the projectile after perforation and trauma or back face signature (BFS), which is the deformation of the target after the impact. 4,6,7…”