Damage evaluation of two-layer targets impacted by a projectile

Damage assessment of two layer targets struck by a taper-nosed projectile i s investigated in this paper. The proposed method in predicting failure beh avior during the penetration process is based on the energy density damage theory. The targets are modeled as elastic/plastic materials which were use d as the base materials at the beginning of penetration process, After the target is damaged, the behavior of material elements in the target varies f rom one location to another depending on local strain rates. The complete t ime history of damage until the targets were completely fractured has been obtained and provided in graphic form. The failure patterns presented in th is study are similar to the observations from experimental works, This esta blishes the validity of applying the energy density damage theory to predic t the failure behavior for this class of penetration problems. (C) 2000 Els evier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.