Papers by Keyword: Ballistic Impact

Abstract: Ballistic qualities of the material are important for the military defence barrier application for protection of military persons, their vehicles and equipment. In the present investigation ballistic performance of Kevlar29 fibre reinforced polyester composite (KPC) is analysed. A definite parametric study, taking into account various shape of projectiles (Flat-F, Spherical-S and Conical-C) impact on the composite target of different thicknesses (12, 16 and 20 mm). Impact velocity of the projectile considered for analysis 100-400 m / s. Ballistic parameters such as residual velocity, deformation and penetration behaviour are predicted. Conical projectile has more effect on the composite target compared to other projectiles. Composite thickness influenced the energy absorption. The thickness increase from 12 mm to 20 mm which leads to increase in energy absorption by almost 20%.

Abstract: The bullet-resistant vest (bullet proof vest) is an important accessory to absorb impact energy and stop bullets from penetrating the body. In the present work a sandwich composite structure was designed from different sequential layers of, twinning induced plastic (TWIP) steel, polypropylene – polyethylene (PP-PE) polymer and water for bullet proof vest application. Owing to the difficulty in experimentally testing materials for ballistic impact application, a finite element – smoothed particle hydrodynamic (FE-SPH) coupled simulation was applied for analyzing the impact characteristics of the proposed composite structure. Different structural layers of the composite are simulated to select the most effective thickness of steel/polymer/water layers in energy absorption and penetration prevention. The simulation results displayed that the optimum thickness of the layers are 2 mm steel/20 mm water/2 mm steel , which is able to stop a 9 mm bullet travelling at 360 m/s with less than 10 mm displacement of the inner surface of the composite. This composite is promising and has a great potential in fabrication of effective and light weight bullet proof vest with less expensive materials.

Abstract: High velocity impact analysis of natural fiber reinforced composites is essential as the trend is focused towards the development of light weight, environment-friendly, non-corrosive and economical materials. At present, the defence, aerospace and automobile sectors are using synthetic fiber composites which are expensive and non-eco-friendly. In the present study ballistic impact of jute-epoxy (JEC), glass-epoxy (GEC), jute-epoxy-rubber (JERC) sandwich composites are simulated with different thickness (1, 2 and 3 mm) and velocity variations (100, 200 and 300m/s) using Finite Element analysis software. Although different approaches to the analysis of the effect response of composite structures are available, numerical modeling is based on strict constitutive models is often preferred because it can provide valuable detailed information about the spatial and temporal distribution of damage during the impact. The ballistic parameters such as energy absorption, ballistic limit and fracture behaviors are predicted. The composite is made of 8 noded linear brick elements and the bullet/projectile is modeled as a discrete rigid element in which deformation behavior, energy absorption and penetration behaviors obtained are clearly represented. The simulation results predicted match well with the analytical results obtained. Among all the combination of the materials simulated, the sandwiches have better ballistic qualities. Energy absorption of sandwich (JERC) was found 67 percentage higher than GEC and 56 percentage higher than JEC laminate. In future, these materials can be the alternative materials for defence sector for bullet proofing.

Abstract: In the last decades, the composite materials were used in the modern ballistic armor systems. Thus, techniques have been developed to predict its mechanical properties, damage mechanisms and strength associated to ballistic impact penetration. The objective of this work was the ballistic impact and quasi-static punch shear behavior of fiberglass polymer composites. The materials used in the experiments were: woven fabric and chopped strand mat E-glass fiber and polyester resin. The composites submitted to ballistic impact and quasi-static punch shear tests had 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 layers and 5, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, and 20 layers, respectively. A quasi-static punch shear fixture test was developed. The best ballistic performance composite was the 10 layers woven fabric. In quasi-static punch shear test, it was possible to analyze the internal fracture of composites, and the load x displacement behavior was observed.

Abstract: In this work, ballistic resistance of single and 2-layers aramid fabric structures with different weaving architectures and orientations were investigated via the impact tests carried out using a gas gun setup. To analyse the influence of each structural factors and their significance, a statistical study was performed using Taguchi method with a L9 matrix, which indicated the optimum structural arrangements for the 2-layer fabrics. The reduction of the velocity, the consequently absorbed energy, and the post-mortem failure modes were analysed to understand the ballistic resistance of the fabric structures studied. To investigate the damage mechanisms of different weaving structures, mesoscale Finite Element models were developed to observe the resultant velocity of the projectile, the deformation of the woven yarns, as well as the evolution of the energy components. The final model was then constructed in resembling the optimum structural arrangement derived from the Taguchi statistical study, which revealed the significance of yarn-yarn and yarn-projectile friction properties towards the ballistic resistance of the fabrics.

Abstract: Surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) is an excellent method to get nanocrystalline and nanotwinned ultrafine crystalline steels from coarse-grained AISI 304 stainless steel. Due to their outstanding mechanical properties, they both appear to be relevant candidates for ballistic protection of marine engineering. Comparing their ballistic performance against coarse-grained steel, as well as identifying the effect of the hybridization with a carbon fiber–epoxy composite layer have been done by Jaime Frontan et al. Hybridization is proposed as a way to improve the nanocrystalline brittle properties in a similar way as is done with ceramics in other protection systems. Dur to the limit of experimental equipment, there are many results which are hardly got. In this paper, a numerical method with Johnson–Cook flow stress model, user material subroutine VUMAT and surface-based cohesive behaviour is presented.

Abstract: Materials used for the construction of ballistic shields are characterized by a variety of behaviours under the influence of external loads. Ballistic impact (by a bullet) in armour (ballistic shield) is an example of the phenomena that could be considered in the category of a dynamic load caused by the strike of the mass. Computer simulations are commonly used in such situations. It is especially important to adopt a proper model of the behaviour of the material. This paper presents the results obtained by simulating free 3D points and using the application developed by the authors for the purpose of this research. The made calculations include the translational motion and rotary motion of the projectile as well as the stiffness of the material, the damping of the material, friction at the points of contacting surfaces, viscous friction and plastic deformation (the material beyond the plastic yield point is perfectly plastic). The results of simulations were validated with experimental research.

Abstract: The paper presents the puncture resistance of the material, that is under the influence of highly deformable projectile, depending on changes of material’s yield strength. The simulation has been conducted using mobile cellular automata (MCA) with authors’ own software. The simulation took into account the elasto-plasto-viscous properties of the material as well as surface and internal friction. The selected results are illustrated in terms of piercing the multilayer material with chosen projectiles of kinetic influence in the range of impact velocity between 300 and 1000 m/s.

Abstract: The ballistic simulation attempted in this work is among the most difficult as both the projectile and the target experience significant deformations. Traditionally these simulations have been performed using a Lagrangian approach, i.e. a deformable mesh with large mesh deformations. There are three often used techniques when studying ballistic problems with the Lagrangian method: remeshing (generally not available for 3D hexahedra meshes), the 'pilot hole' technique and material erosion. Because these techniques imply element removal, in order to allow the calculation to continue, the Lagrangian method lacks a physical basis. Moreover, no general guidance exists for selecting one of the three techniques mentioned before. The Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamic method as implemented in the commercial code LS-DYNA has been used in this paper to solve the problem of the impact between different caliber projectiles and various types of metal targets. The results are compared to those produced by dynamic analysis using conventional finite element methods with material erosion as implemented in LS-DYNA.

Abstract: Woven fabrics are widely used in various protective applications. The effects of different woven architectures (such as plain, basket, twill and satin) on impact resistance performance have not been adequately studied. In this work, high-speed impact testing on single layer plain weave structures has been carried out using a gas gun experimental setup. Ballistic resistance performance of the woven fabric is evaluated based on the resultant velocity of the projectile, as well as the post-mortem failure analysis. Finite element computational models are presented in this research, thereby providing predictive capability for the manufacturer and designer in order to minimise field testing, as well as shedding light on to the damage mechanisms of composite fabrics subjected to ballistic impact. The numerical model is validated with the experimental results in terms of dissipated energy and resultant velocity. Numerical investigation is conducted on other woven structures of identical areal density for comparison, revealing the importance of fabric architecture. The influences of yarn-yarn and yarn-projectile friction properties on the ballistic performance of various textile structures are also presented.