A numerical analysis of the dynamic behaviour of sheet steel perforated by a conical projectile under ballistic conditions

The paper describes a numerical study on the perforation of sheet steel by a projectile under high impact velocity to predict the ballistic behaviour and, in particular the ballistic limit. The parametric study is performed for several of the important variables in the numerical model using Abaqus/Explicit finite element code and their effects are reported in the paper. The variables considered include the target configuration (thickness), constitutive material model of the target, mass of the projectile, friction between the projectile and the target and shape of the projectile. The effect of the material behaviour was also studied through the use of two constitutive relations and to conclude the ballistic curves were calculated for several different target materials using data from literature. The numerical results were compared with existing data sourced from the literature and an analytical model was used to compare the trend obtained using numerical simulations in terms of ballistic limit.

► Numerical parametric study on perforation process of steel sheet is reported.
► Plate configuration and constitutive relation effects are discussed.
► Projectile mass and material strain hardening rate effects are analysed.
► Sheet thickness and material behaviour effects are analysed and discussed.