Simulation of ballistic impacts in steel plates

Abstract

In this thesis, a numerical study of normal perforation of 12mm thick steel plates impacted by 20mm diameter conical shaped projectiles is reported. A thorough analysis on specific experimental data results serves as basis for the numerical simulations of the problem, which has been performed using a finite element code, ABAQUS-Explicit with a fixed mesh for the bullet and plate. To define the thermoviscoplastic behaviour of the material constituting the plate, the Johnson–Cook model has been used. This homogeneous behaviour has been coupled with the Johnson–Cook fracture criterion to predict completely the perforation process. The simulations cover a range of impact velocities from 200 to 500m/s. Both qualitative and quantitative predictions of projectile-plate behaviour are compared to the experimental ones from the literature, and good agreement is obtained in general. The analysis considers the influence of adaptive meshing of the plate, interaction and damage of the target plate among others. A specific discussion about damage is reported highlighting its influence on the model. The final results and discussion can be of interest for the design of an optimised version of the model.