Damage assessment of plain, fiber, and reinforced concrete targets against low velocity long rod rigid projectile

Abstract

AbstractIn the present study, the behavior of plain, fiber, and reinforced concrete (PC, FC, and RC) targets against long rod rigid projectile had been investigated. Two different thickness, 55 and 80 mm of PC and FC targets were cast along with 80 mm thick RC targets with 6 different reinforcement configurations. A total of 34 different square targets were manufactured wherein, the aerial dimension measures 400 × 400 mm. The projectiles were made of hardened steel having ogive‐nose with a shank diameter of 18 mm and a mass of 450 g where the caliber‐radius‐head of the ogival nose was kept standard as 3. The ballistic response of all the targets were analyzed in terms of front and rear surface damage, mass loss rate, perforation thickness, and residual velocities against various impact velocities. Explanation regarding the behavior of three different concrete targets against long rod projectile impact loading has been well addressed through the basic laws and relevant theories associated with ballistic impact loading in order to provide guidance for subsequent research in the field of protective structures design. Additionally, perforation thickness and residual velocities corresponding to various impact velocities obtained from experimental study were also found to be in good agreement with the existing empirical model predictions.