Home // International Journal On Advances in Systems and Measurements, volume 11, numbers 1 and 2, 2018 // View article
Authors:
Arash Ramezani
Hendrik Rothe
Keywords: generally valid simulation models; hydrocode analysis; fiber-reinforced plastics; optimization; armor systems; ballistic trials
Abstract:
In the security sector, the partly insufficient safety of people and equipment due to failure of industrial components is an ongoing problem that causes great concern. Since computers and software have spread into all fields of industry, extensive efforts are currently made to improve the safety by applying certain numerical solutions. A fibre-reinforced composite is a promising material for ballistic protection due to its high strength, stiffness and low density. The use of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) composite as part of the personal armour system has the potential to provide significant weight savings or improved protection levels over traditional metallic materials. Although already used in different applications, both as spall liners and within complex multi-element/multi-material packages, there is a limited understanding of the mechanisms driving ballistic performance. Existing analysis tools do not allow a good approximation of performance, while existing numerical models are either incapable of accurately capturing the response of thick UHMW-PE composite to ballistic impact or are unsuited to model thick targets. In response, this paper aims to identify the key penetration and failure mechanisms of thick UHMW-PE composites under ballistic impact and develop analytical and numerical models that capture these mechanisms and allow accurate prediction of ballistic performance to optimize modern armour systems. An analysis methodology is proposed to model the behaviour of thick UHMW-PE composite panels under ballistic impact using inhomogeneities on the macroscale. A sub-laminate approach for discretisation of the target is proposed to overcome the problems of premature through-thickness failure in the material model. The methodology was extensively validated against existing experimental ballistic impact data and results for UHMW-PE targets. Finally, a numerical modelling methodology was developed for the analysis of thick UHMW-PE composite under ballistic impact.
Pages: 124 to 136
Copyright: Copyright (c) to authors, 2018. Used with permission.
Publication date: June 30, 2018
Published in: journal
ISSN: 1942-261x