Numerical analysis of a ballistic impact on textile fabric

Textile fabric is a very useful material for protection against ballistic projectiles. A numerical analysis, performed using the finite element method, has been carried out to understand better physical and mechanical phenomena during a ballistic impact on 2D Kevlar KM2® plain-woven fabric. The study is two-fold: macroscopic and mesoscopic, with shell elements in the explicit scheme of the finite element method. The numerical problems, dealing with the influence of the number of shell elements in a cross section for having correct models are analyzed. The damage mechanisms of the fabric during penetration time of the projectile are discussed and compared to literature experimental results. The agreement with experience results in damage mechanisms and residual velocities show a good validation of this study.

► An impact between a plain weave fabric and a spherical projectile is modeled.
► Shell elements were used for modeling undulated yarns of the fabric.
► Two numerical models were proposed at macroscopic and mesoscopic levels.
► The number of elements for a cross section of yarn was investigated.
► The evolution of the projectile velocity shows different phases during an impact.