Study of energy absorption and failure modes of constituent layers in body armour panels

This study aims to investigate ballistic resistant efficiency of individual layers in body armour panels in order to further understand the energy absorption and failure modes of the layers and the panel. Finite Element (FE) analysis, in conjunction of experimental methods, was used to quantify the ballistic responses of the individual layers under ballistic impact. Perforated and non-perforated ballistic tests and photographic morphology examination were employed in this study for layer and panel failure mechanisms. The results of the investigation revealed that the fabric layers at different positions in the panel exhibit different transverse deformation and stress distribution. In the perforated panel, energy absorption in each layer increases gradually from the front to the rear of the panel. Comparison with the stand-alone fabric layer revealed that the energy absorption efficiency of the front layers is lower than that of the rear for the perforated panels. Based on the failure modes of different fabric layers in a ballistic panel, it is possible that the construction of the panel be optimised for improved ballistic performance.