Numerical simulation of Taylor impact tests

The present paper discusses some aspects in the numerical simulation of Taylor impact tests. A phenomenological internal variable theory is presented and restricted by the second law of thermodynamics. The constitutive model consists of a thermo-hyperelastic equation for the stresses and an evolution equation for the plastic internal variable. Specific thermo-plastic constitutive functions are proposed and corresponding material parameters are identified. Taylor impact tests are numerically simulated using the explicit finite element program LS-DYNA augmented by an user-defined material subroutine and the effect of variation of selected model parameters is discussed. Numerical results allow new interpretations of experimental observations and test data and gives advice on identification of material parameters in rate-dependent inelastic constitutive models. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.