Numerical study on the resistance of rigid projectiles penetrating into semi-infinite concrete targets

A study on the resistance of rigid projectiles penetrating into semi-infinite concrete targets is performed in this paper. Experimental data are analyzed to examine the penetration resistance during various stages of the penetration process. A numerical tool using AUTODYN hydrocode is applied in the study. The numerical results on both deceleration-time history and depth of penetration of projectiles are in good agreement with experimental data, which demonstrate the feasibility of the numerical model in these conditions. Based on the numerical model with a two-staged pre-drilled hole, the rigid projectile penetration in tunneling stage is studied for concrete targets with different strengths in a wide range of impact velocities. The results show that the penetration in tunnel stage can be divided into two different cases in terms of initial impact velocity. In the first case, when the impact velocity is approximately less than 600 m/s, the deceleration depends on initial impact velocity. In the second case, when the impact velocity is greater than 600 m/s, the effect of target inertia becomes apparent, which agrees with commonly used concrete penetration resistance equations based on cavity expansion model. Graphic abstract: A two-staged pre-drilled hole model was developed and the results show that the depth of entrance stage tends to decrease with the increase of impact velocity. The influence of the inertial term at low velocity range (approximately close to 600 m/s) is inconspicuous. With further increase of the penetration velocity, the effect of the target inertia becomes apparent as proposed by Forrestal. The effect of mass abrasion of projectiles, entrance phase and strain effect of concrete materials on the tendency of deceleration was clarified. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]