Issue
DYMAT 2009
Volume 2, 2009
DYMAT 2009 - 9th International Conference on the Mechanical and Physical Behaviour of Materials under Dynamic Loading
Page(s) 1561 - 1566
Section Numerical Simulations
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/dymat/2009220
Published online 15 September 2009
DYMAT 2009 (2009) 1561-1566
DOI: 10.1051/dymat/2009220

Numerical investigation of the bodywork effect (K-effect)

N. Nsiampa, F. Coghe and G. Dyckmans

Dept. of Weapon Systems & Ballistics, Royal Military Academy, 1000 Brussels, Belgium


Published online: 15 September 2009

Abstract
Add-on armour kits composed of high-hardness steel plates are often used to improve the protection of light personnel carriers and logistic vehicles against the ballistic impact of small caliber ammunition, such as the 5,56×45 mm and the 7,62×51 mm NATO Ball projectiles. The protective kits are integrated inside the existing vehicle bodywork. There are indications, however, that the overall ballistic protection can also become less efficient by using the add-on armour, especially for the 5,56×45 mm threat. This phenomenon is referred to as the bodywork effect: the ballistic protection offered by the bodywork plate in combination with the additional armour plate is lower than the protection offered by the armour plate alone. This paper investigates the origin of the bodywork effect through a series of numerical simulations. For validation purposes, a limited number of firings have been performed. Split Hopkinson pressure bars tests were used for the characterization of the dynamic behaviour of the integrated armour plate material.



© EDP Sciences 2009