A Simplified ALE model for finite element simulation of ballistic impacts with bullet splash – development and experimental validation

Riccardo Andreotti; Sergio Abate; Andrea Casaroli; Mauro Quercia; Riccardo Fossati; Marco V. Boniardi

doi:10.3221/IGF-ESIS.57.17

A Simplified ALE model for finite element simulation of ballistic impacts with bullet splash – development and experimental validation

Authors

Riccardo Andreotti Dipartimento di Meccanica, Politecnico di Milano, via La Masa 1, 20156 Milano, Italy
Sergio Abate Reparto Investigazioni Scientifiche, RIS-Roma, viale Tor di Quinto 151, 00191 Roma, Italy
Andrea Casaroli Dipartimento di Meccanica, Politecnico di Milano, via La Masa 1, 20156 Milano, Italy
Mauro Quercia Callens® AREA3 Via Merini 37 21100 Varese, Italy
Riccardo Fossati RTM Breda, Via Po 84, 20032 Cormano (MI), Italy
Marco V. Boniardi Dipartimento di Meccanica, Politecnico di Milano, via La Masa 1, 20156 Milano, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3221/IGF-ESIS.57.17

Keywords:

ballistic impact, bullet splash, stainless steel plate, Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE), finite element simulation (FEM), explicit solver

Abstract

An original simplified finite element model is proposed to simulate the effects of non-penetrating ballistic impacts causing the so-called bullet splash phenomenon (complete bullet fragmentation), while no fragmentation is caused to the target. The model is based on the Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian formulation (ALE) and it simulates the impact as a fluid-structure interaction. The bullet splash phenomenon has been tested by experimental analyses of AISI 304L plates impacted by 9x21 FMJ (full metal jacket) bullets. The model has been developed with the aim of creating a simplified approach to be used in the industry and forensic sciences to simulate the non-penetrating interaction of soft impactors with hard targets. Comparisons between evidence and simulation results lead to the conclusion that the proposed approach can be used in a conservative way to estimate both local and global effects of bullet-splash phenomena.

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Published

22-06-2021

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 57 (2021): July 2021

Section

Analytical, Numerical and Physical Models

License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright
Authors are allowed to retain both the copyright and the publishing rights of their articles without restrictions.

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How to Cite

A Simplified ALE model for finite element simulation of ballistic impacts with bullet splash – development and experimental validation. (2021). Frattura Ed Integrità Strutturale, 15(57), 223-245. https://doi.org/10.3221/IGF-ESIS.57.17