Simulation and Experimental Tests of Ballistic Impact on Composite Laminate Armor

Abstract

This paper presents the experimental testing and simulation results of ballistic impact tests on laminated armor samples that consist of three layers of different materials: fiber-cement, Kevlar fabric, and steel. In experimental tests, a 9 mm FMJ bullet was launched towards a 100 cm(2) sample of the armor from the fiber-cement side. Ansys Workbench Explicit Dynamics and Ansys AUTODYN 3D were used to model and simulate the ballistic impact. Experimental testing and simulation results were compared to analyze the behavior of composite armor designs, and a good agreement was observed.