Browsing by Subject "Ballistic"
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Item Atomistic Simulation of Graphene-Polyurethane Nanocomposite for Use in Ballistic Applications(2013-08-12) Njoroge, Jean LExposure to high impact velocity is the principle limiting factor of material performance in ballistic applications for use in civilian and defense industries. Graphene has emerged as a material of scientific interest due to its exceptional mechanical and thermal properties. When incorporated appropriately in a polymer matrix, graphene can significantly improve properties of polymers at small loading, while preserving the integrity of the polymer. Graphene based polymer nanocomposites provide a novel approach for material design for ballistic applications. The reliability of graphene/polymer nanocomposites on end use applications depends on understanding the effect of structure-property relationship of nanocomposite. A first approach to engineering nanocomposite for ballistic applications requires thorough understanding of physical properties change with incorporation of nanofillers in polymer matrix. One significant class of properties tremendously affected by inclusion of nanofiller is thermodynamic properties. Therefore, a first investigative study, we explore non-linear elastic behavior of graphene using first principle method, specifically Density-Functional Theory (DFT), and atomistic simulation. Using DFT, we calculated the equation of state (EOS) and elastic constants of graphene. The results are in agreement with experimental and other theoretical studies using DFT. However, accuracy of atomistic simulations is limited by empirical potentials. Nevertheless, general anisotropic, non-linear mechanical behavior of graphene is evident on both approaches. Additionally we use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study effect of graphene nanofiller on thermo?mechanical properties of polyurethane. We have calculated thermodynamic, structural and mechanical properties of the amorphous polyurethane and its graphene nanocomposite. Our results show significant enhancement of thermal-mechanical properties. The final part of this dissertation, we used non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations to investigate dynamic response behavior of polyurethane and its graphene nanocomposite. Calculation of Hugoniot states of polyurethane agrees with experimental studies. However, a phase change phenomenon observed in experimental work was not visible in the present work. This is due to bond breaking and formation, which is a clear characterization of phase changes. Graphene-polyurethane nanocomposites demonstrate similar shock wave propagation illustrating characteristics of impeding shock wave when subjected to different particle velocities. This is due to graphene inducing stress concentrations in the composite, which may increase yield strength.Item A combined experimental and modeling study of low velocity perforation of thin aluminum plates(2015-12) Simpson, Gary Forest Jr.; Ravi-Chandar, K.; Landis, ChadThis work conducts a combined experimental and modeling study of low velocity projectile perforation of thin AA5083-H116 aluminum plates. Experiments were performed in order to characterize the candidate material and calibrate simple and easy to implement empirical models for both the material response and ductile failure behavior. Quasi-static tensile tests were performed in order to investigate the Portevin-Le Chatelier effect common to 5xxx series aluminum as well as to calibrate a Ramberg-Osgood representation for the material stress-strain curve. The material response at strain rates up to and exceeding 104 s-1 was investigated by means of an electromagnetically driven ring expansion test, characterizing the potential strain rate sensitivity of the material. Additionally, the failure behavior and potential damage accumulation of the material were evaluated using an interrupted, multiple loading path strain-to-failure test, validating a Johnson-Cook failure model for use in numerical simulation. Low velocity ballistic impact and perforation experiments, investigating several specific mechanisms of deformation and failure, were conducted and modeled by implementing the developed material and failure model in 3D finite element simulations.Item Formulation and simulation of impact dynamics for multilayer fabrics with various weaves(2011-12) Shimek, Moss Evan; Fahrenthold, Eric P.; Longoria, Raul G.; Crawford, Richard H.; Traver, Alfred E.; Sepehrnoori, KamyThe high strength, light weight, and flexibility of fabric protection systems makes them the preferred solution for a number of ballistic applications. Examples include body armor, fan blade containment for jet engines, and orbital debris shielding. In general, these protection systems employ plain woven fabric, most suitable for flat or gently curved geometries. Highly curved surfaces, such as personnel extremities, may be more effectively protected using fabrics of different weaves. This dissertation presents the first numerical model developed to simulate ballistic impacts into plain, harness satin, twill, and basket weave fabrics. It extends previous work on hybrid particle-finite element methods developed for fabric modeling. The extended formulation closely replicates the tensile load response and contact-impact dynamics of highly flexible yarns, by generalizing the kinematic model and density interpolation used in previous work. The formulation has been validated in three dimensional simulations of impact experiments conducted to investigate the effects of weave type on fabric ballistic performance.Item Preliminary interplanetary trajectory design tools using ballistic and powered gravity assists(2015-08) Brennan, Martin James; Fowler, Wallace T.; Russell, Ryan; Bettadpur, Srinivas; Lightsey, E G; Olsen, CarriePreliminary interplanetary trajectory designs frequently use simplified two-body orbital mechanics and linked conics methodology to model the complex trajectories in multi-body systems. Incorporating gravity assists provides highly efficient interplanetary trajectories, enabling otherwise infeasible spacecraft missions. Future missions may employ powered gravity assists, using a propulsive maneuver during the flyby, improving the overall trajectory performance. This dissertation provides a complete description and analysis of a new interplanetary trajectory design tool known as TRACT (TRAjectory Configuration Tool). TRACT is capable of modeling complex interplanetary trajectories, including multiple ballistic and/or powered gravity assists, deep space maneuvers, parking orbits, and other common maneuvers. TRACT utilizes an adaptable architecture of modular boundary value problem (BVP) algorithms for all trajectory segments. A bi-level optimization scheme is employed to reduce the number of optimization variables, simplifying the user provided trajectory information. The standardized optimization parameter set allows for easy use of TRACT with a variety of optimization algorithms and mission constraints. The dissertation also details new research in powered gravity assists. A review of literature on optimal powered gravity assists is presented, where many optimal solutions found are infeasible for realistic spacecraft missions. The need was identified for a mission feasible optimal powered gravity assist algorithm using only a single impulsive maneuver. The solution space was analyzed and a complete characterization was developed for solution types of the optimal single-impulse powered gravity assist. Using newfound solution space characteristics, an efficient and reliable optimal single-impulse powered gravity assist BVP algorithm was formulated. The mission constraints were strictly enforced, such as maintaining the closest approach above a minimum radius and below a maximum radius. An extension of the optimal powered gravity assist research is the development of a gravity assist BVP algorithm that utilizes an asymptote ΔV correction maneuver to produce ballistic gravity assist trajectory solutions. The efficient algorithm is tested with real interplanetary mission trajectory parameters and successfully converges upon ballistic gravity assists with improved performance compared to traditional methods. A hybrid approach is also presented, using the asymptote maneuver algorithm together with traditional gravity assist constraints to reach ballistic trajectory solutions more reliably, while improving computational performance.