Ballistic Penetration and Perforation of Thick FRP Laminates by Ogival-Nosed Projectiles

Abstract

This article examines penetration and perforation of thick fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) laminates struck by ogival-nosed projectiles at normal incidence. A forcing function representing the interaction between the projectile and the FRP laminates is derived by assuming that the deformation of FRP laminates is localized and that the pressure offered by the laminate targets to resist the projectiles is velocity dependent which can be divided into two parts: a quasi-static part due to the elastic-plastic deformation of the laminate materials and a dynamic part due to penetration velocity. Equations for axial force on the ogival nose are first obtained and then used to solve numerically the depth of penetration (DOP), residual velocity, ballistic limit, and time-histories of displacement/penetration, velocity and deceleration. Parametric studies are also carried out on the ballistic performance of projectiles with different caliber-radius-head (CRH). It transpires that theoretical predictions are in good agreement with available experimental results.