Spherical cavity-expansion model for penetration of reinforced-concrete targets

The feature of reinforcing bars is introduced into dynamic cavity-expansion theory. Based on the elastic–plastic response penetration model of plain (i.e., unreinforced) concrete (Forrestal and Tzou, 1997), a dynamic spherical cavity-expansion penetration model for reinforced-concrete targets is developed with consideration of the circumferential restriction effect derived from reinforcing bars in the crushed region. The theoretical solution and simplified calculation formula for the cavity radial stress in incompressible and compressible reinforced concrete are obtained by introducing a reinforcement ratio as the volume fraction of rebars in the concrete target. A damping function is presented to describe the restriction effect of a single layer of reinforcing bars on the surrounding concrete, thus establishing a model to calculate the penetration resistance of multilayer reinforced-concrete targets. Compared with test data for the penetration depth, this model considering the circumferential restriction effect produces better results compared with the existing theory.