Numerical Analysis of Hypervelocity Impact Problems with Large Deformations, High Strain Rates and Spall Fractures

Abstract

In the study, a software program named “SUPER CE/SE” is developed for the simulation of hypervelocity impact problems with large deformations, high strain rates and spall fractures. In the software program, an Eulerian method consisting of an improved CE/SE (Space-time Conservation Element and Solution Element Method) scheme is used. A void growth model which takes the Bauschinger Effect (BE) into account and a newly proposed front tracking method are adopted in the simulation. The formation and propagation of a crack is described by a newly developed automatic crack growth algorithm. Numerical simulation of spall fracture in a plate when impacted by a spherical projectile at a velocity of 6.0 km/s is carried out. The numerical results are in qualitative agreement with the corresponding experimental data. It turns out that the BE has obvious influence on the length of the crack and better agreement with the experiment is obtained when the BE is considered. It is also validated that the newly proposed front tracking method is feasible and reliable for representing the cracks in the problems with large deformation and high strain rates. According to those research results, it is proved that the software program SUPER CE/SE is robust and effective in the simulation of hypervelocity impact problems.