Numerical simulation of normal and oblique ballistic impact on ceramic composite armours

This paper presents three-dimensional finite element models that investigate the performance of ceramic-composite armours when subjected to normal and oblique impacts by 7.62 AP rounds. The finite element results are compared with experimental data from different sources both for normal and oblique impact, respectively. Simulation of the penetration processes as well as the evaluation of energy and stresses distributions within the impact zones highlight the difference between normal and oblique ballistic impact phenomena. The findings show that the distributions of global kinetic, internal and total energy versus time are similar for normal and oblique impact. However, the interlaminar stresses at the ceramic-composite interface and the forces at the projectile-ceramic interface for oblique impact are found to be smaller than those for normal impact. Finally, it is observed that the projectile erosion in oblique impact is slightly greater than that in normal impact. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd.