Numerical Simulations of the Penetration of Aluminum Targets by Ogive-Nosed Steel Projectiles

Numerical simulations are conducted herein on the penetration of aluminum targets by ogival-nosed steel projectiles using the commercial FEM code ABUQUS. In the simulations, the response of the targets are represented by a forcing function, which is derived from spherical cavity expansion theory. This methodology eliminates the need for discretizing the targets as well as the need for a contact algorithm. It is shown that the numerical simulations are in good agreement with the available experimental data for the penetration of 6061-T6511 aluminum targets struck by VAR 4340 steel projectiles, reported in the literature. It is also shown that pitch and yaw or inclination angle has significant effects on the depth of penetration as well as projectile response.