Response of different cementitious concrete target under ballistic impact loading

In the current research, three widely and distinct concrete formulations had been prepared, labeled as standard concrete (SC), high-strength concrete (HSC), and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) to evaluate how these concrete targets respond to long-rod projectile impact loading, spanning impact velocities from 80 to 200 m/s, through a combination of experimental and numerical analyses. In addition to the impact tests, dynamic material characterization tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical properties of the materials. A Finite Element Model (FEM), integrating the calibrated parameters through material characterization tests results, was developed for numerical simulations to replicate the results of the projectile impact experimental tests which also validate the accuracy of the calibrated Holmquist Johnson Cook (HJC) model parameters. Followed by a parametric investigation to explore the significance of different concrete material model parameter on concrete’s resistance against impact loading. This study aimed to gain deeper insights into the ballistic impact failure mechanism and understand the effect of material model parameters that significantly influence the diverse response of concrete targets in terms of ballistic penetration resistance and ballistic surface damage resistance.