Optimization of two-component armour

The paper presents research on optimization of two-layer armour subjected to the normal impact of the 7.62x54 B32 armour piercing (AP) projectile. There were analysed two cases in which alumina Al2O3 was supported by aluminium alloy AA2024-T3 or armour steel Armox 500T. The thicknesses of layers were determined to minimize the panel areal density whilst satisfying the constraint, which was the maximum projectile velocity after panel perforation. The problem was solved through the utilization of LS-DYNA, LS-OPT and HyperMorph engineering software. The axisymmetric model was applied to the calculation in order to provide sufficient discretization. The response of the aluminium alloy, armour steel and projectile material was described with the Johnson-Cook model, while the one of the alumina with the Johnson-Holmquist model. The study resulted in the development of a panel optimization methodology, which allows the layer thicknesses of the panel with minimum areal density to be determined. The optimization process demonstrated that the areal density of the lightest panel is 71.07 and 71.82 kg/m2 for Al2O3-Armox 500T and Al2O3-AA2024-T3, respectively. The results of optimization process were confirmed during the experimental investigation.