Modeling of space debris interaction with an element of a solid-propellant rocket engine

Abstract

The interaction of a steel cylindrical indenter with an element of a solid-propellant rocket engine (SPRE) is modeled numerically. The SPRE shell material is an orthotropic organic plastic rigidly fixed to the solid propellant. The influence of the indenter geometric and kinetic parameters and of the orientation of elastic and strength properties of the shell on the parameters of the compression wave incident on the solid propellant is investigated. The range of interaction velocities from 400 to 1000 m/s is considered. The problem is solved numerically by the finite-element method in three dimensions. The indenter material behavior is described by an elastoplastic model, the behavior of the shell anisotropic material is described in the framework of an elastobrittle model, and the propellant is modeled by an elastic medium.