Three-Dimensional, Non-Linear Finite Element Analysis of Bullet Penetration through Thin AISI 4340 Steel Target Plate

Authors: Abhishek Soni, A. Kumaraswamy, M. S. Mahesh

Abstract:

Bullet penetration in steel plate is investigated with the help of three-dimensional, non-linear, transient, dynamic, finite elements analysis using explicit time integration code LSDYNA. The effect of large strain, strain-rate and temperature at very high velocity regime was studied from number of simulations of semi-spherical nose shape bullet penetration through single layered circular plate with 2 mm thickness at impact velocities of 500, 1000, and 1500 m/s with the help of Johnson Cook material model. Mie-Gruneisen equation of state is used in conjunction with Johnson Cook material model to determine pressure-volume relationship at various points of interests. Two material models viz. Plastic-Kinematic and Johnson- Cook resulted in different deformation patterns in steel plate. It is observed from the simulation results that the velocity drop and loss of kinetic energy occurred very quickly up to perforation of plate, after that the change in velocity and changes in kinetic energy are negligibly small. The physics behind this kind of behaviour is presented in the paper.

Keywords: AISI 4340 steel, ballistic impact simulation, bullet penetration, non-linear FEM.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1316385

References:

[1] Backman, M. E. and Goldsmith, W., “The mechanics of penetration of projectiles into targets,” International Journal of Engineering Science, Vol. 16, No. 1, 1978, pp. 1–99.
[2] Dikshit, S., Kutumbarao, V., and Sundararajan, G., “The influence of plate hardness on the ballistic penetration of thick steel plates,” International journal of impact engineering, Vol. 16, No. 2, 1995, pp. 293–320.
[3] Borvik, T., Hopperstad, O., Berstad, T., and Langseth, M., “Numerical simulation of plugging failure in ballistic penetration,” International Journal of Solids and Structures, Vol. 38, No. 34, 2001, pp. 6241–6264.
[4] Kaufmann, C. and Williams, K., “Optimization of a numerical simulation involving the impact of an AP-T C44 12.7 mm projectile on a semi-infinite monolithic 6061-T6 aluminium target,” Tech. rep., Technical report, Defence Research and Development Canada, 2004.
[5] Borvik, T., Hopperstad, O., Berstad, T., and Langseth, M., “Perforation of 12mm thick steel plates by 20mm diameter projectiles with flat, hemispherical and conical noses: part II: numerical simulations,” International Journal of Impact Engineering, Vol. 27, No. 1, 2002, pp. 37–64.
[6] Borvik, T., Dey, S., and Clausen, A., “Perforation resistance of five different high-strength steel plates subjected to small-arms projectiles,” International Journal of Impact Engineering, Vol. 36, No. 7, 2009, pp. 948–964.
[7] Nsiampa, N., Dyckmans, G., and Chabotier, A., “Impact of 7.62 mm AP ammunition into aluminium 5083 plates,” Proc. of the XXIII International Symposium on Ballisitic, Tarragona, Spain, 2007.
[8] H. Kurtaran, M. Buyuk, A. Eskandarian,‘‘Ballistic impact simulation of GT model vehicle door using finite element method,’’ Theoretical and Appied. Fracture Mechanics, Vol.40, 2003, pp.113–121.
[9] J. O. Hallquist, LSDYNA Theoretical Manual, Livermore Software Technology Corporation, Livermore, CA, USA, 1997.
[10] J. A. Zukas, High Velocity Impact Dynamics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., NY, 1990.
[11] Michael Dietenberger, Murat Buyuk, Cing Dao (Steve) Kan, ‘‘Development of a High Strain-Rate Dependent Vehicle Model,’’ LSDYNA Anwenderforum, Bamberg 2005.
[12] Borvik, T., Langseth, M., Hopperstad, O., and Malo, K., “Ballistic penetration of steel plates,” International Journal of Impact Engineering, Vol. 22, No. 9, 1999, pp. 855–886.
[13] T. J. Holmquist, D. W. Templeton, K. D. Bishnoi, ‘‘Constitutive Modeling of aluminium nitride for large strain, high strain rate, and high pressure applications,’’ International Journal of Impact Engineering, 2001, pp.211–231.
[14] V. Narayanamurthy, C. Lakshmana Rao, and B. N. Rao, ‘‘Numerical Simulation of Ballistic Impact on Armour Plate with a Simple Plasticity Model,’’ Defence Science Journal, Vol.64, January 2014, pp.55-61.