High-speed penetration of ogive-nose projectiles into thick concrete targets:Tests and a projectile nose evolution model

The majority of the projectiles used in the hypersonic penetration study are solid flat-nosed cylindrical projectiles with a diameter of less than 20 mm.This study aims to fill the gap in the experimental and analytical study of the evolution of the nose shape of larger hollow projectiles under hypersonic penetration.In the hypersonic penetration test,eight ogive-nose AerMet100 steel projectiles with a diameter of 40 mm were launched to hit concrete targets with impact velocities that ranged from 1351 to 1877 m/s.Severe erosion of the projectiles was observed during high-speed penetration of heterogeneous targets,and apparent localized mushrooming occurred in the front nose of recovered projectiles.By examining the damage to projectiles,a linear relationship was found between the relative length reduction rate and the initial kinetic energy of projectiles in different penetration tests.Furthermore,microscopic analysis revealed the forming mechanism of the localized mushrooming phenomenon for eroding penetration,i.e.,material spall erosion abrasion mechanism,material flow and redistribution abrasion mechanism and localized radial upsetting deformation mechanism.Finally,a model of highspeed penetration that included erosion was established on the basis of a model of the evolution of the projectile nose that considers radial upsetting;the model was validated by test data from the literature and the present study.Depending upon the impact velocity,v0,the projectile nose may behave as undistorted,radially distorted or hemispherical.Due to the effects of abrasion of the projectile and enhancement of radial upsetting on the duration and amplitude of the secondary rising segment in the pulse shape of projectile deceleration,the predicted DOP had an upper limit.

Discrete Element Modelling of Dynamic Behaviour of Rockfills forResisting High Speed Projectile Penetration

This paper presents a convex polyhedral based discrete element method for modelling the dynamic behaviour ofrockfills for resisting high speed projectile penetration. The contact between two convex polyhedra is defined by theMinkowski overlap and determined by the GJK and EPA algorithm. The contact force is calculated by a Minkowskioverlap based normal model. The rotational motion of polyhedral particles is solved by employing a quaternionbased orientation representation scheme. The energy-conserving nature of the polyhedral DEM method ensures arobust and effective modelling of convex particle systems. The method is applied to simulate the dynamic behaviourof a rockfill system under impact of a high speed projectile. The rockfill sample is generated by a three-dimensionalVoronoi meso method with a specific particle size distribution. The penetrating process of the projectile strikingthe rockfill target is simulated. Some physical quantities associated with the projectile such as the residual velocity,penetration resistance, and deflection angle are monitored which can reflect the influence of the characteristics ofthe rockfill target on its anti-penetration performance. It can be concluded that the developed polyhedral DEMmethod is a very promising numerical approach in analysing the dynamic behaviour of rockfill systems subject tohigh speed projectile impact.

Comparison Among Depths of Penetration of Different Targets Subjected to Rigid Projectile Impact

The ratios of depth of penetration (DOP) of different targets under the same penetration condition was investigated according to the dimensionless formula of DOP of different targets penetrated by a non-deformable projectile.Results show that various targets may be equivalent to each other.The applicable range of the equivalence and the feasibility of targets substitution were discussed by integrating the available test data.

Partial penetration of annular grooved projectiles impacting ductile metal targets

Changing and optimizing the projectile nose shape is an important way to achieve specific ballistic performance.One special ballistic performance is the embedding effect,which can achieve a delayed high-explosive reaction on the target surface.This embedding effect includes a rebound phase that is significantly different from the traditional penetration process.To better study embedment behavior,this study proposed a novel nose shape called an annular grooved projectile and defined its interaction process with the ductile metal plate as partial penetration.Specifically,we conducted a series of lowvelocity-ballistic tests in which these steel projectiles were used to strike 16-mm-thick target plates made with 2024-O aluminum alloy.We observed the dynamic evolution characteristics of this aluminum alloy near the impact craters and analyzed these characteristics by corresponding cross-sectional views and numerical simulations.The results indicated that the penetration resistance had a brief decrease that was influenced by its groove structure,but then it increased significantlydthat is,the fluctuation of penetration resistance was affected by the irregular nose shape.Moreover,we visualized the distribution of the material in the groove and its inflow process through the rheology lines in microscopic tests and the highlighted mesh lines in simulations.The combination of these phenomena revealed the embedment mechanism of the annular grooved projectile and optimized the design of the groove shape to achieve a more firm embedment performance.The embedment was achieved primarily by the target material filled in the groove structure.Therefore,preventing the shear failure that occurred on the filling material was key to achieving this embedding effect.

Simulation of shape variation of projectile nose during high-speed penetration into concrete

A formula is developed to estimate the total mass loss of projectile, based on the assump- tions that the peeling of molten surface layer in projectile nose is the primary cause of mass loss, and the frictional heat is totally absorbed by the projectile. Extrapolating this formula to predict the mass loss of local area of projectile, the receding displacement on projectile surface is obtained, which is vertical to the symmetry axis of projectile. Thereby, a finite difference method model is constructed to simulate the variation of projectile shape. The shape of residual projectile, depth of penetration of projectile and its mass loss obtained by calculation are found in good consistency with respective experimental data.

A spherical cavity expansion model for penetration of ogival-nosed projectiles into concrete targets with shear-dilatancy

A dynamic spherical cavity-expansion penetration model is suggested herein to predict the penetration and perforation of concrete targets struck normally by ogivalnosed projectiles.Shear dilatancy as well as compressibility of the material in comminuted region are considered in the paper by introducing a dilatant-kinematic relation.A procedure is first presented to compute the radial stress at the cavity surface and then a numerical method is used to calculate the results of penetration and perforation with friction being taken into account.The influences of various target parameters such as shear strength,bulk modulus,density,Poisson＇s ratio and tensile strength on the depth of penetration are delineated.It is shown that the model predictions are in good agreement with available experimental data.It is also shown that the shear strength plays a dominant role in the target resistance to penetration.

Rigid elliptical cross-section ogive-nose projectiles penetration into concrete targets

The elliptical cross-section ogive-nose projectile(ECOP) has recently attracted attention because it is well suited to the flattened shape of earth-penetrating weapons. However, the penetration performance of ECOPs has not been completely understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the penetration performance of ECOPs into concrete targets using a theoretical method. A general geometric model of ECOPs was introduced, and closed-form penetration equations were derived according to the dynamic cavity-expansion theory. The model was validated by comparing the predicted penetration depths with test data, and the maximum deviation was 15.8%. The increment in the penetration depth of the ECOP was evaluated using the proposed model, and the effect of the majoreminor axis ratio on the increment was examined. Additionally, the mechanism of the penetration-depth increment was investigated with respect to the caliber radius head, axial stress, and resistance.

Modified spherical cavity-expansion model for projectile penetration into concrete targets

A modified spherical cavity-expansion model is developed in this paper.(1) We introduce a piecewise hyperbolic yield criterion suitable for pressure less than fc/3 to describe the mechanical behavior in the elastic region for the elastic-plastic response and modify the crack occurrence condition for the elastic-cracked-plastic response.(2) The hyperbolic yield criterion and a piecewise equation of state (EOS) are adopted for a better description of the plastic behavior of concrete material. Then, the modified model is validated by several projectile penetration tests in both the normal strength concrete (NSC) and ultra-high performance cement-based composite (UHPCC) targets. Finally, the hydrostatic pressure of the targets under rigid ogive-nosed projectile penetrations is found to be nearly within (0, 1.6 GPa), which usually exceeds the range that the shear strength-pressure test data covered. The influence of yield criterion on depth of penetration is discussed and it is recommended that the pressure should arrive at least 400 MPa in the related triaxial compression tests.

Analysis on the resistive force in penetration of a rigid projectile

According to the dimensionless formulae of DOP(depth of penetration) of a rigid projectile into different targets,the resistive force which a target exerts on the projectile during the penetration of rigid projectile is theoretically analyzed.In particular,the threshold V_C of impact velocity applicable for the assumption of constant resistive force is formulated through impulse analysis.The various values of V_C corresponding to different pairs of projectile-target are calculated,and the consistency of the relative test data and numerical results is observed.

Experimental study on the penetration effect of ceramics composite projectile on ceramic/A3 steel compound targets

In order to improve the penetration of projectiles into ceramic composite armors,the nose of 30 mm standard projectile was replaced by a toughened ceramic nose,and the performance of ceramic-nose projectiles penetrating into ceramic/A3 steel composite targets has been experimentally researched.According to impact dynamics theory,,the performances of 30 mm ceramic-nose projectile and 30 mm standard projectile penetrating into the ceramic/A3 steel composite targets were analyzed and compared using DOP method,especially focusing on the effects made by different nose structures and materials.The aperture and depth of perforation of projectile into the armor plates as well as the residual mass of bullet core under the same conditions were comparatively analyzed.A numerical simulation was built and computed by ANSYS/LS-DYNA.Based on the simulated results,the penetration performance was further analyzed in terms of the residual mass of bullet core.The results show that the ceramic nose has a great effect on the protection of bullet core.

Microstructural observations on the terminal penetration of long rod projectile

Present study focuses on the terminal penetration of tungsten heavy alloy(WHA) long rod penetrator impacted against armour steel at an impact velocity of 1600 m/s. The residual penetrator and armour steel target recovered after the ballistic test have been characterized using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope(SEM) and electron probe micro analyzer(EPMA). Metallurgical changes in target steel and WHA remnant have been analysed. Large shear stresses and shear localization have resulted in local failure and formation of erosion products. Severe plastic deformation acts as precursor for formation of adiabatic shear band(ASB) induced cracks in target steel. Recovered WHA penetrator remnant also exhibits severe plastic deformation forming localized shear bands, ASB induced cracks and shock induced cracks.

Numerical Investigation of Penetration Performance of Non-Ideal Segmented-Rod Projectiles

The design of a segmented-rod projectile is often simplified into an ideal one in theoreti-cal analysis for the convenience of modeling of its performance.But the actual performance of non-ideal segmented-rod projectiles over the impact velocity range in practical applications was rarely explored.AUTODYN numerical code is used to investigate the influence of the component design upon the penetration performance of non-ideal segmented-rod projectiles over a wide range of impact velocities,which can be used to guide the optimal design of weaponry segmented-rod projectiles.

NORMAL EXPANSION THEORY FOR PENETRATION OF PROJECTILE AGAINST CONCRETE TARGET

Based on the equations which describe the dynamic behavior of material under high-velocity and high-pressure shock, corresponding equations at shock front whose surface is general space curve surface were established. For concrete material, a normal expansion theory was proposed by which some deceleration about time history of the projectile can be analytically given. This normal expansion theory is not only suitable for spherical and cylindrical-nose projectile, but also suitable for other general nose projectile, for example conical nose or ogive-nose. And it is not only suitable for perpendicular shock but also for oblique shock.

Influence of thickness and projectile shape on penetration resistance of the compliant composite

The present study deals with development of conceptual proof for jute rubber based flexible composite block to completely arrest the projectile impacting the target at high velocity impact of 400 m/s through numerical simulation approach using finite element(FE)method.The proposed flexible composite blocks of repeating jute/rubber/jute(JRJ)units are modelled with varying thickness from 30 mm to 120 mm in increments of 30 mm and impacted by flat(F),ogival(O)and hemispherical(HS)shaped projectiles.All the considered projectiles are impacted with proposed flexible composite blocks of different thicknesses and the penetration behaviour of the projectile in each case is studied.The penetration depth of the projectile in case of partially penetrated cases are considered and the effect of thickness and projectile shape on percentage of penetration depth is statistically analyzed using Taguchi’s design of experiments(DOE).Results reveal that the though proposed flexible composite block with thickness of 90 mm is just sufficient to arrest the complete penetration of the projectile,considering the safety issues,it is recommended to use the flexible composite with thickness of 120 mm.The nature of damage caused by the projectile in the flexible composite is also studied.Statistical studies show that thickness of the block plays a prominent role in determining the damage resistance of the flexible composite.

AN EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUE TO MEASURE PROJECTILE DECELERATION HISTORY DURING NORMAL PENETRATION INTO PLAIN CONCRETE

The present paper presents a new experimental method to measure the deceleration time history of projectiles penetrating into concrete in full-size test. The experiment can be carried out by using an onboard accelerometer to measure the projectile deceleration history and the data are transmitted to a ground recording system. With this experimental method, a series of tests on hemisphere-nose steel projectiles penetrating normally into plain concrete at the velocity region 150 - 400 m/s have been executed and the deceleration histories obtained. The high frequency portion in the deceleration data has been investigated and proved to be the structure response of projectile. The characteristics of deceleration history have also been analyzed and discussed.

Analysis Model on Penetration Depth of Concrete by Eroding Long-Rod Projectiles

Mass loss should be considered while calculating the penetration depth of concrete by eroding long-rod projectiles of high velocity.The penetration process is divided into two phases：eroding phase and rigid phase.During eroding phase,a model to predict the penetration depth is established on the assumption that there is a chipping region in the bottom of crater.During rigid phase,Forrestal formula is adopted to calculate the penetration depth.Using this model,the depth of concrete penetration by a tungsten alloy long-rod projectile is calculated.When the critical eroding velocity is between 950 m/s and 1 000 m/s,the result is in good agreement with the experimental data.

Sealing of Ejection Hole at the Bottom of Projectile for Wired Transmission System of Penetration Data

It is difficult to find the projectile when people want to get the penetration data in a hard recovery method,so a recovery system of penetration data is designed based on an ejection mode from the projectile base and a method of wired transmission,at the same time,the system was sealed with a designed sealing device,the working principle of which was introduced.Using Fluent as the simulation platform,the transient pressure of seal cavity was simulated based on the change of chamber pressure,and steady-state pressure of seal clearance and seal cavity were simulated based on the maximum chamber pressure.The sealing performance was tested by apressure test system.The results of simulation and experiment show that the maximum pressure of seal cavity is 139.4kPa when the maximum chamber pressure is 242.9MPa and the maximum temperature of gunpowder explosive gas is2 166.5K,so the sealing performance can be assured.The sealing device can be taken as a reference in sealing research on gunpowder gas at the bottom of projection.

3D Numerical Simulation of Projectile Penetration into Concrete Target

Basing on the explicit instantaneous dynamics software MSC-Dytran and the general coupling arithmetic, the process of the projectile penetration into concrete target was simulated with the point-line-surfacebody modeling method. Simulation results are in agreement with experimental results. The simulated data could provide design reference for the defense engineering construction and penetrator design.

Strain Measurement for Hollow Projectiles During Its Penetration of Concrete Targets

Gives a new technique to measure the dynamic deformation behavior and strain development of a hollow steel projectile during its penetration of concrete targets. Direct strain measurement was performed by applying strain gages attached to the inner walls of the hollow projectile, linked with on-board testing and storage recorder. This on-board test-record system is easy to operate, cost-effective and can provide reasonable, accurate and detailed information. Obverse ballistic experiments were carried out on ogival-nose hollow projectiles normally impacting concrete targets at velocities from 150 m/s to 300 m/s. The deformation process of projectiles was measured, recorded and played back. Profiles of voltage-time relationship were successively obtained and transfered to strain-time relationship with the aid of calibration tables. It was found that projectiles go through a series of compression and tension deformations intermittently. Relationships between strain development and projectile deformation process were discussed.

Analysis of Penetration Model for Geo-Material by Rigid Projectile

Based on the cylindrical cavity expansion theory, a plastic-damage-elastic model is proposed for the penetration problem of geo-material. In the model, the unified strength criterion (Yu, 1991) is adopted as the failure criterion. The distributions of the radial stress and velocity are analyzed. According to the Newton's second law, a series results of the final penetration depth and the impedance load are obtained to different parameter b, when a rigid projectile normally impacts and penetrates a semi-infinite geo-material target with an impact velocity of 300-1200 m/s. By comparing with the test data available, it appears that the method can be used in analyzing the final depth and the impedance load of a rigid projectile penetrating into a semi-infinite target with different impact velocities.