A determination procedure for element elimination criterion in finite element analysis of high-strain-rate impact/penetration phenomena

Abstract

A determination procedure for element elimination criterion in finite element simulation of high-strain-rate impact and penetration phenomena, occurring between tungsten heavy alloy long-rod penetrators and steel targets, has been presented with some demonstrations for the validity of the established criterion. The element elimination criterion for the two types of materials have been determined by comparing the simulated depth of penetration (DOP) and deformed shape of the penetrator with previously available experimental results. Although the criterion affects the simulated DOP significantly at the studied impact velocity of 1 500 m/s, once established, they are shown to be valid in predicting the DOP in the impact velocity range between 1 100 and 1 750 m/s. The events of partial penetration with severe material deformation such as critical ricochet angle and ricochet phenomenology have also been successfully predicted using the established criterion in the similar impact velocity range. Thus it is suggested that the determination procedure for the suitable element erosion criterion is prerequisite in simulating high-strain rate impact/penetration phenomena and the criterion established by the procedure is useful in fairly broad range of the velocity and for other similar high-strain-rate events.