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 SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE

 

Armor Mechanics

 

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  image of numerical simulation of long-rod projectile against spaced armor array.
 

Numerical simulation of a long-rod projectile against a spaced-armor array

For more than 30 years, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has been using an integrated approach, including experimentation, numerical simulation, and analytical modeling, to investigate and solve fundamental and applied problems in:

  • Armor mechanics

  • Armor applications

  • Armor design

    • Reactive systems

    • Active systems

    • Armor concepts

  • Armor evaluation and studies

    • Experimental

    • Analytical

    • Computational

  image of scale-model ceramic laminate targets
 

Scale-model ceramic laminate (RHA/Al2O3/RHA) targets

The SwRI armor mechanics staff is internationally recognized for contributions to fundamental and applied understanding of penetration mechanics and armor mechanics.


High-speed diagnostics and a wide variety of launchers support experimental studies. A complementary high-rate materials laboratory allows material characterization and determination of computational constitutive constants.


Armor Mechanics Applications and Experience

  • Low-speed impact

  • Small arms

  • Anti-tank kinetic energy projectiles

  • Chemical energy threats

  • Armor efficiency assessment

  • Evaluation of penetrator defeat mechanisms

  • Testing of passive armor, reactive armor, and active armor

  image of flash x-ray of long-rod projectile in flight; same projectile after impact to induce fracture
 

Flash x-ray of a long-rod projectile in flight (top); same projectile after impact to induce fracture (bottom)

Armor Technologies

Types of Armor

  • Monolithic

  • Multi-material

  • Multi-component

  • Spaced plate

  • Heavy

  • Light

  • Reactive

  • Active


Armor Materials

  • Metallics

  • Ceramics

  • Composites

  • Fabrics

  • Explosives

  • Inert elements

 

  image of damaged ceramic tile, impacted by 7.62-mm APM2 bullet
 

Damaged ceramic tile, impacted by a 7.62-mm APM2 bullet

Projectiles / Threats

  • Long rods

  • Medium caliber

    • 14.5 (B32, BS41)

    • 30-mm AP

    • 30-mm APDS

  • Small arms

    • Rifle

    • Handgun

    • Armor-piercing

    • Ball

  • Frament-simulating projectiles (FSPs)

  • Shaped charges


Defeat Mechanisms

  • Target strength

  • Obliquity

  • Fracture

  • Yaw

  • Rotation

  • Spaced elements

  • Erosion

  • Spreading the load


Armor Mechanics Applications

  • Ballistic limit

  • Ballistic protection design

  • Armor concept evaluation

  • Design improvements

  • Response of two types of aluminum alloys to impact by a lead-filled ball round

 

image of response of an aluminum alloy to impact by lead-filled ball round   image of response of an aluminum alloy to impact by lead-filled ball round

Response of two types of aluminum alloys to impact by a lead-filled ball round


Armor Mechanics Facilities

  • Indoor ballistics range

  • 20- to 30-mm high-performance gun system

  • 50-mm high-performance cannon (impact velocities up to ~2.0 km/s)

  • Outdoor test areas, up to 1,000 yards

  • Storage, handling, and application of explosives

  • Fully equipped instrumentation trailer (high-speed data acquisition of pressure, strain, displacement, etc.)

  • Flash radiography

  • High-speed video (up to 60,000 frames per second)

  • Ultra-high-speed digital imaging (up to 100 million frames per second)

 

For more information about armor mechanics capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Charles E. Anderson, Jr., Ph.D. at canderson@swri.org or (210) 522-2313.
 

Contact Information

Charles E. Anderson, Jr., Ph.D.

Armor Mechanics

(210) 522-2313

canderson@swri.org

Related Terminology

penetration mechanics

armor mechanics

long-rod penetrators

small arms

body armor

ballistic testing

terminal ballistics

ballistic impact

frament-simulating projectiles

FSP

shaped charges

armor concepts

armor concept evaluation

passive armor

reactive armor

active armor

homeland security

Related Information

image of Armor Mechanics flyer

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Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 11 technical divisions.

August 28, 2008