Simulation of ballistic impact on fabric armour using finite-element method

This study presents an analytical model to calculate the residual velocity of projectile-penetrating targets composed of planar plain-woven fabric. A non-linear, explicit, three-dimensional finite-element code in ABAQUS 6.4 software is used to simulate the response of plain-woven fabric under high-speed projectile impact. This model is based on single yarn as a backbone component for discritisation. Yarns are modelled as shell elements with elastic behaviour. Non-uniform mesh size is used to achieve computational efficiency and to capture the details of deformation. Interaction between the projectile and the fabric, and between the yarns themselves, considering friction, was determined. Finally, results are compared with other researchers' experimental work to verify the model. Acceptable correlation between results of simulation and experiment is demonstrated in terms of both deformation and residual velocity. The predictive capability and the computational efficiency of the model are quite good.