Numerical Simulation of Ballistic Impact on Armour Plate with a Simple Plasticity Model

Vijayabaskar Narayanamurthy; C. Lakshmana Rao; B. N. Rao

doi:10.14429/dsj.64.4521

Vijayabaskar Narayanamurthy Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad
C. Lakshmana Rao Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai
B. N. Rao Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.64.4521

Keywords: Numerical simulation, ballistic impact, projectile, armour plate, plasticity model, experimental results, failure

Abstract

Ballistic impact of a steel projectile on armour steel plate is examined by numerical simulations using 3-D nonlinear dynamic explicit finite element code ANSYS LS-DYNA. Simulations are attempted using a simple strain rate dependent plasticity model that can capture large strain, strain rate hardening and fracture encountered at high velocity ballistic impacts. Initial simulations are carried out for a cylindrical bullet with a semi-spherical nose shape impacting a military vehicle door at two different velocities as a test problem. This is then extended to simulate a real problem of armour piercing shot impact on a thick armour steel plate at ordnance velocity regime. The former is compared with results reported in published literature while the latter is assessed with the experimental findings. The deformation pattern generated in the deformed armour plate, residual projectile velocity and displacement of the projectile are taken as the necessary parameters for evaluating the results of simulation. The study presented in this paper demonstrates the effectiveness of the adopted simple plasticity model to simulate a highly nonlinear phenomenon to reasonably predict the physically measurable impact parameters.

Defence Science Journal, Vol. 64, No. 1, January 2014, DOI:10.14429/dsj.64.4521

Author Biographies

Vijayabaskar Narayanamurthy, Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad

Dr Vijayabaskar Narayanamurthy is working as a Scientist-D at Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad. His research interests include structural mechanics modeling in hybrid beams, plates and shells; ballistic impact mechanics; flight interface structures and mechanics of fastenings.

C. Lakshmana Rao, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai

Dr C. Lakshmana Rao is a Professor in the Department of Applied Mechanics at Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai. He teaches courses on continuum mechanics, numerical modeling, fracture mechanics and mechanics of materials. His research interests include modeling of failures in brittle materials, buckling control using smart materials and ballistic impact mechanics.

B. N. Rao, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai

Dr B.N. Rao is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai. His research interests include developing new methods in the areas of computational solid mechanics, finite element analysis, meshless analysis, computer-aided design, structural reliability, optimization, stochastic mechanics, fuzzy structural analysis, dimension reduction methods, fracture analysis, crack propagation simulation studies, and related fields.