Numerical analysis for estimating ballistic performance of armour material

Abstract

Ballistic performance of naval ship structured material is analysed by formulating numerical simulation technique using 3-D explicit dynamic nonlinear finite element model in ANSYS®19. The methodology includes the effects of plastic deformation and facture of material describing flow stress, strain and strain rate hardening parameter under terminal high velocity ballistic impact. Initially, numerical simulation was carried on Weldox700E armour plate using Johnson-Cook strength and failure criteria with NATO ball bullet as impacting projectile for validation purpose. Further, the validated model is used to simulate the impact behaviour of Al5083 structural material subjected to high velocity impact of 7.62 × 39 mm mild steel core bullet having different thickness. The former simulation result was compared with available literature while the latter is evaluated using the experimental test findings. Residual velocity of projectile, failure mode and deformation pattern of target plate, projectile displacement and energy summary were used to determine characteristics of ballistic event. The methodology used in this paper demonstrates significant efficiency and adequacy of the implemented Johnson Cook model to determine a non-linear physical penetration mechanism and its experimental measurable parameters.