Ballistic impact simulation of GT model vehicle door using finite element method

Penetration performance of GT model military vehicle door subjected to the ballistic impact of a bullet with semispherical nose shape is investigated using 3-D nonlinear dynamic explicit finite element code LS-DYNA. Finite element simulations of the door for the bullet impact velocities of 500, 1000 and 1500 m/s are carried out using plastic kinematic and Johnson-Cook material models that can characterize strain and strain rate hardening, thermal softening effects and fracture at high velocity impacts. To reduce the computational cost of the bullet-door impact analysis, only a part of the door subjected to the impact of the bullet is considered. The part of the door is idealized as a single layer circular thin plate. Finite element analysis of the single layer plate of 2 mm thickness showed full penetration of the bullet. Analysis of the plate with existing layer backed by another layer of higher thickness prevented complete penetration. Simulations with both material models also indicated a noticeable difference in the deformation of the plate and particularly the bullet upon impact indicating the thermal softening effect. 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.