UNRAVELING IMPACT DYANMICS: A NUMERICAL STUDY OF CONICAL AND BLUNT PROJECTILE PENETRATION IN THIN ALUMINUM PLATES

This study numerically investigates the impact behavior of conical and blunt projectiles on thin aluminum 2024-T3 plates using ABAQUS. Simulations analyze a 0.82 mm thick plate impacted at velocities from 28 to 100 m/s. Results reveal distinct penetration behaviors: the conical projectile exhibits a four-petal failure mode and penetrates at a lower ballistic limit (28.57 m/s), while the blunt projectile requires higher velocity (50.44 m/s) and forms a single plug. Variations in residual velocity, absorbed energy, damage energy, and impact duration highlight the influence of projectile geometry. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates how variations in material properties and friction significantly affect ballistic outcomes. These findings provide insights into impact resistance and structural response, aiding in protective material design. Future studies should refine material models and explore broader impact conditions.