- Journal
- Année
- 2013
- Pages
- 1617-1629
Abstract
A mesoscale finite element fabric model was developed under ONR (Office of Navy Research of the US Navy) and presented in the previous symposium. In that work the model went through extensive multi-pronged validation for three materials and a maximum of ten layers. This paper's focus is the application of the model presented in the past with emphasis on studying different configurations and their advantages and disadvantages. The work was divided in three phases: Scouting Computations where ``virtual'' (i.e. computational) ballistic tests were performed on small-scale specimens to explore a large number of configurations. Large Scale Computations where the best configurations of Phase I were analyzed at the full-scale target level with 28 layers and a size of 14 cm x 14 cm (5.5 inches squares). Ballistic limits were computed for these configurations and relative performance to KM2 evaluated on a same areal density basis. Four fabric configurations were predicted to be advantageous and were fabricated. Phase 3, Production, Tests and Validation where four configurations comprising targets with alternating yarn of different materials and targets with patches of different materials were produced during this phase. Tests were performed to determine the ballistic limit. High-speed imaging was used during the test to measure residual velocity of the projectile and to measure the transverse wave propagation velocity on the fabric. The numerical simulations predicted very well the performance of the new targets designed with less than 3% error on the four configurations tested.