Ballistic penetration of deforming metallic plates: Experimental and numerical investigation

A combined experimental and numerical investigation is carried out to study systematically the ballistic per-formance of a metallic plate that deforms continuously under pre-imparted impulsive loading (e.g., due to TNT explosion) before being impacted by a projectile. First, based on a novel experimental method, ballistic impact test of a deforming thin steel plate is performed via an one-stage gas gun; as benchmark, ballistic impact test of a static (non-deforming) thin steel plate via a two-stage gas gun is also performed. Results show that deforming has significant influence on ballistic performance of metallic plates in terms of perforation mode and ballistic limit. Then, based on three-dimensional finite element simulations that are validated against experimental measure-ments, physical mechanisms underlying the deforming effect are explored. The effects of pre-imparted impulse, the shock resistance of target plate, and the nose shape of projectile on the ballistic performance are also quantified. It is demonstrated that deforming leads to changes of the projectile-target system in three aspects: providing initial kinetic energy to target, changing plastic deformation in dished region, and altering shear force during perforation. The interaction of these three aspects dictates the ballistic performance of a deforming target plate. The results are employed to carry out anti-penetration design for deforming steel plates.

Automated summary

This study investigates the ballistic performance of a metallic plate that undergoes continuous deformation before being impacted by a projectile. Experimental tests and numerical simulations are conducted to explore the physical mechanisms underlying the deformation effect and quantify the effects of pre-imparted impulse, target plate's shock resistance, and projectile's nose shape on the ballistic performance. The results provide valuable guidance for anti-penetration design of deforming steel plates.