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Impact and Penetration Analysis
Problem Statement and Objectives
ARA is involved in the analysis of impact and penetration problems for a variety of applications. ARA's Terminal Ballistics Group has more than 25 years of experience in designing and conducting ballistic impact experiments and developing analytical/engineering penetration models and computer codes. Our approach is to develop preliminary, physics-based engineering models which recognize the principal penetrator and armor response mechanisms and which are sensitive to the governing dynamic material properties. The preliminary models are then modified and refined as needed with the aid of model development tests and FE/FD numerical simulation results.
The Silicon Valley Office of ARA has a wide variety of numerical simulation capabilities for impact and penetration problems. Approaches range from traditional finite element codes with a variety of algorithms to solve the impact and penetration mechanics to SPH codes for hypervelocity impact conditions.
Example impact and penetration problems include:
· Armor and anti-armor development
· Light armor for vehicle protection
· Bullet proof garment development
· Protection of aircraft from engine failure fragments
· Analysis of penetrating weapon design
Figure 1: Ball Impact and Penetration
A. Initial Configuration |
B. Final Configuration
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C. Early Fracture Damage
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D. Final Fracture Damage
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Figure 2: Rod Impact and Penetration
A. Initial Configuration |
B. Intermediate State |
C. Intermediate State |
D. Final Penetration |
Figure 3: Concrete Penetrator Normal Impact
A. Initial Configuration |
B. Final State |
C. Pressure Profile During Penetration |
D. Effective Stress Profile During Penetration |
Reference
- S.W. Kirkpatrick and J.W. Simons, "Computational and Graphical Methods for Impact Analyses," Final Technical Report, Nov. 1996.
For inquiries or comments, please contact:
Dr. Steven Kirkpatrick
Principal Engineer
e-mail: skirkpatrick@ara.com
Dr. Robert T. Bocchieri
Principal Engineer
e-mail: rbocchieri@ara.com
Robert MacNeill
Principal Engineer
e-mail: rmacneill@ara.com
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