High Speed Penetration Modeling

Penetrating warheads filled with High Explosives (HE) can prove ineffective in destroying deeply buried and harden military complexes. The objective of this proposed effort is to develop and empirically validate Finite Element Modeling (FEM) simulations that can accurately represent materials and assemblies response to high speed impacts and harsh environments. Dynamic FEM on representative test articles containing HE will be generated using LS-DYNA, which will give load paths, stress distribution, strains, and component deformation at various impact velocities. The developed LS-DYNA impact simulations will be compared to penetrator tests on test articles containing simulant HE materials at the University of Texas Institute for Advanced Technology. Design of Experiment (DOE) will be conducted to replicate thermal and vibration events resulting from storage and field-use that can adversely affect mechanical or electrical components' function; small-scaled samples filled with HE or HE simulant will be prepared and aged to access the potential effects of micro cracks or voids on detonation characteristics. Analytical tests will be conducted to evaluate changes in HE after accelerated life testing. The results of this research will be improved performance penetrating warheads that are more reliable, predictable, and deliver maximize lethality to harden complexes.