Automated design of threats and shields under hypervelocity impacts by using successive optimization methodology

In this study, predictive hydrocode simulations are coupled with approximate optimization (AO) methodology to achieve successive design automation for a projectile-Whipple shield (WS) system at hypervelocity impact (HVI) conditions. Successive design methodology is first applied to find the most dangerous threat for a given WS design by varying the shape and orientation of a projectile while imposing constraints on the total projectile mass and radar cross section (RCS). Subsequent optimization procedure is then carried on to improve the baseline WS design parameters. A parametric multi-layered stuffed WS model is considered with varying thicknesses of each layer and variable positions of the inter-layers while having a constraint on the areal density. HVI simulations are conducted by using a nonlinear explicit dynamics numerical solver, LS-DYNA. Coupled finite element and smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) parametric models are developed for the predictive numerical simulations. LS-OPT is employed to implement the design optimization process based on response surface methodology. It is found that the ideal spherical projectiles are not necessarily presenting the most dangerous threat compared to the ones with irregular shapes and random orientations, which have the same mass and RCS. Therefore, projectiles with different shapes and orientations should be considered while designing a WS. It is also shown that, successive AO methodology coupled with predictive hydrocode simulations can easily be utilized to enhance WS design. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.