Analyses of rigid projectile penetration into UHPCC target based on an improved dynamic cavity expansion model

•An improved dynamic cavity expansion model for projectile penetrating into UHPCC was proposed.•A series of practical parameters for hyperbolic yield criterion and EOS of HJC model were given.•Rigid projectile penetration model into UHPCC target was established and verified.•Frequently used empirical formula was inapplicable for the penetration analyses of UHPCC target.

Ultra-high performance cement based composite (UHPCC) has prominent projectile impact resistance. Aiming to theoretically predict the depth of penetration for rigid projectile penetrating UHPCC target, an improved dynamic cavity expansion model was proposed to describe the plastic behavior of UHPCC material under projectile penetration with a hyperbolic yield criterion and nonlinear equation of state (EOS). Then, combined with the Newton's second law, rigid projectile penetration model into UHPCC target was established, which was verified by comparing with the previous penetration test data, classic empirical formula and prediction of previous cavity expansion model based on linear yield criterion and EOS. Besides, a series of practical parameters of the hyperbolic yield criterion and nonlinear EOS for the improved dynamic cavity expansion model were given and validated.