The numerical simulation of the impact phenomena in nail penetration

Abstract

Abstract Powder actuated fastening is a quick and cost efficient method to fasten building materials together. In this method, a nail is placed in a hand-held tool and driven by a flying piston into hard construction materials such as steel and concrete. The piston is propelled by the explosive force of a powder cartridge. Numerical simulations are used to help engineers design better powder actuated tools and fastenings. These simulations require the numerical treatment of stress wave propagation, large strain, strain-rate material behaviour and sliding contact and impact. In this paper, the numerical contact algorithm implemented in an explicit dynamic finite element program used to simulate nail penetrations is described. The results of several example simulations are presented.