Finite element simulations of ballistic impact on metal and composite plates

Abstract

Response of a material impacted by projectiles especially bullets, or blast fragments, is extremely important in determining the range of impact it can sustain. As explicit finite element codes improve and advances material models become available, the hydrocodes find more widespread application in many industries. In this thesis, a study of ballistic response is implemented using simulation of thin metal targets in LS -DYNA. Parametric studies are conducted to study the effects of various factors on the damage process. Further in the study an attempt has been made to study the response of composite targets to the projectile impact. For the composite target, a finite element model is implemented with Chang-Chang failure criteria. Comparisons of the finite element simulations to the experimental data include general as well as the time history response. Results indicate that the residual velocities from the experimental tests correlate well with the ones from finite element validation. A parametric study is then conducted with the validated models. Parameters including as projectile velocity, projectile mass, projectile geometry boundary conditions, target thickness target yield strength, target failure strain and friction between the target and the bullet are considered, which affect the Ballistic Impact process. This study demonstrates the accuracy and effectiveness of the finite element simulation of the impact tests on thin metallic targets with the help of Finite Element softwares.