Pyramidal ceramic armor ability to defeat projectile threat by changing its trajectory

S. Stanislawek, A. Morka, T. Niezgoda
2015 Bulletin of the Polish Academy of Sciences: Technical Sciences  
This paper presents a numerical study of a multilayer composite panel impacted by an AP (Armor Piercing) 14.5×114 mm B32 projectile. The composite consists of alternating layers of hard ceramic and a ductile aluminum alloy. While the alloy layer consists of typical plate, ceramics confront projectiles in the form of ceramic pyramids. The studied models are compared with a reference structure, which is a standard double layer panel. The problem has been solved with the usage of modeling and
more » ... ation methods as well as a finite elements method implemented in LS-DYNA software. Space discretization for each option was built with three dimensional elements ensuring satisfying accuracy of the calculations. For material behavior simulation, specific models including the influence of the strain rate and temperature changes were considered. A steel projectile and aluminum plate material were described by the Johnson-Cook model and a ceramic target by the Johnson-Holmquist model. The obtained results indicate that examined structures can be utilized as a lightweight ballistic armor in certain conditions. However, panels consisting of sets of ceramic prisms are a little easier to penetrate. Despite this fact, a ceramic layer is much less susceptible to overall destruction, making it more applicable for the armor usage. What is most important in this study is that significant projectile trajectory deviation is detected, depending on the impact point. Such an effect may be utilized in solutions, where a target is situated relatively far from an armor.
doi:10.1515/bpasts-2015-0096 fatcat:wn2fxwm3dbh5vklavg5o4jgxse