Development of a Blast Event Simulation Process for Multi-Scale Modeling of Composite Armor for Light Weight Vehicles (PREPRINT)

Abstract

This paper presents the development of a multi-scale simulation process for modeling the response of a vehicle with composite armor to the blast loads from an explosive threat. The new process can be used for improving the blast resistant capabilities of the composite armor by configuring its properties at the micro-level. A Blast Event Simulation system (BEST) that facilitates the easy use of LS-DYNA or ABAQUS for conducting a complete sequence of explosive simulations and the inclusion of Anthropometric Test Device (ATD) comprises one of the two main foundation components of the new development. The Micromechanics Analysis Code (MAC) developed by NASA Glenn comprises the second main foundation component. Details from a validation study of BEST associated with the response of a generic structure and an ATD placed inside it to an explosion are discussed. The development of the new multi-scale simulation capability is discussed and a case study is presented. The case study demonstrates how the new simulation approach can determine a matrix-fiber configuration and the orientation of the laminates at the micro-level for designing blast resistant composite armor that offers similar levels of protection with steel but at significantly reduced weight.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 15, 2011
Accession Number
ADA540820

Entities

People

  • Geng Zhang
  • John P. Kim
  • Nicholas Vlahopoulos

Organizations

  • University of Michigan

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Armor
  • Brain Injuries
  • Case Studies
  • Composite Armor
  • Composite Materials
  • Engineering
  • Equations
  • Explosions
  • Explosive Charges
  • Explosives
  • Laminates
  • Materials
  • Materials Science
  • Mechanics
  • Micromechanics
  • Multiscale Modeling
  • Orientation (Direction)

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
  • Explosive Engineering.
  • Reinforced Composite Materials