SPH simulations of debris impacts using two different computer codes

This paper reports the results of Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) sim ulations of debris impact on an all aluminium triple wall system, performed by Alenia Aerospazio using the PAM-SHOCK 3D computer code, and by the Univ ersity of Rome "La Sapienza" using the AUTODYN 2D hydrocode. The point of v iew of a user interested in debris shielding design and not that of a softw are developer or an SPH algorithm expert has been adopted. Comparisons betw een the results of the two codes at early, mid and late stages of impact ar e shown. Theoretical predictions are used to evaluate the numerical simulat ions at early stages of impact. The predictions of the damage induced on th e plates are compared with the Light Gas Gun experimental data. X-ray pictu res are used to evaluate the simulations of the debris cloud expansion and spalled material detached from the intermediate bumper. Traditional Finite Volume (FV) simulation results are reported and compared with SPH results. The authors do not go into any SPH algorithm details, but using the potenti ality of the respective codes show what is the current capability of the hy drocodes to assess the ballistic performance of high resistance debris shie lding used to protect space structures. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.