LS-DYNA Simulation of the Ballistic and Structural Performance of Transparent Armor Systems with Angled Composite Design and Air Gap Structure

The behavior of different layer designs of a transparent armor (TA) under large strains been investigated. Impacts of light-armor piercing projectile (7.62x51AP) as influencers were tested and analyzed for predicting the TA response when the layers design angles are adjusted. The experimentation allows visualization of damage behavior and the projectile penetration. The visualization techniques are essential models for understanding the mechanisms of interaction between projectile and targeted material design. Ballistic tests results, high-speed photographs and flash-radiographs from experiments with transparent armor were used to establish LS-DYNA simulation module. Transient non-linear dynamic finite-element has been analyzed using LS-DYNA to simulate and validate the experimentation. The penetrative capability of the projectile was assessed in terms of both the ballistic limit velocity against various layer design angles of the TA and air gaps. The input velocity of the penetrative showed variations dependent upon the TA layer angle design in conjunction with air gaps. The analysis of ballistic limits for different designs of layer angle showed that the greater inner layer angles at 5 degrees or higher performs better in comparison to legacy layer designs.