Method Statement
This project will study and model perforation and damage/failure mechanisms on some construction materials under small calibre ballistic impacts. The main focus is on exploring the usefulness of finite element modelling in the field of terminal ballistics. The work will be focused on numerical simulations using the Abaqus finite element analysis software. The main stages and steps that will be followed in order to achieve our aims and objectives are outlined below.
Initial Work
- An initial literature review will be conducted covering both previous experimental and computational research done on the topic.
- This initial literature review will be updated and expanded through the year.
- Becoming familiar with the Abaqus finite element analysis (FEA) software and the concepts behind finite element numerical modelling.
- An online web poster will be produced in the form of a website, which will give an introduction and will convey the most important information for the project. The website will be updated with progress throughout the year and as the final submission deadline approaches.
Modelling
- An appropriate initial modelling scenario will be defined, including geometry, material elements and properties, boundary and impact conditions and definitions.
- The geometry of the problem (target) will be defined with a square plate with finite thickness clamped at all four borders. The area of the target will be sufficiently large to ensure that area where deformations occur (dependent on the impact velocity) is accommodated within a sufficient margin, that is, to be outside the influence of the boundaries.
- The geometry of the projectile will also be defined at an axis that goes through the centre of the target and is normal to the plane of the plate (orthogonal impact).
- The initial model will be created in a way that allows results to be compared with experimental results that are available and have been identified through the literature review. This comparison will allow the strengths and weaknesses of the model to be examined and improvements to be put in place.
- Once the comparison between computational and experimental results has been done and analysed, models will be created for new scenarios on which few research has been done. For instance this can include materials for which there is no ballistic impact data available or modelling non-orthogonal impacts.
- At this stage the two group members will go in different directions. Choosing these directions will be done after discussions with the supervisor on the basis of the literature review that should be extensive at this point.
Write-up
- A thesis draft should be prepared, a month before the submission deadline, that can be reviewed and checked for errors thoroughly before the final write up commences.
- A final thesis document should be created that will aim to present all the research that has been done according to academic standards.