Numerical modelling of the hydrodynamic ram phenomenon

12 pages, 16 figures.Hydrodynamic ram (HRAM) is a phenomenon that occurs when a high-kinetic energy object penetrates a fluid-filled container. The projectile transfers its momentum and kinetic energy through the fluid to the surrounding structure, increasing the risk of catastrophic failure and excessive structural damage. This is of particular concern in the design of wing fuel tanks for aircraft since it has been identified as one of the important factors in aircraft vulnerability. In the present paper, the commercial finite-element code LS-DYNA has been used to simulate an HRAM event created by a steel spherical projectile impacting a water-filled aluminium square tube. Two different formulations (ALE and SPH) are employed to reproduce the event. Experimental tests which indicate the pressure at different points of the fluid, displacement of the walls and cavity evolution for different impact velocities are compared with the numerical results in order to assess the validity and accuracy of both ALE and SPH techniques in reproducing such a complex phenomenon.Publicad

Experimental analysis of fluid-filled aluminium tubes subjected to high-velocity impact

11 pages, 20 figures.Hydrodynamic ram (HRAM) is a phenomenon that occurs when a high-energy object penetrates a fluid-filled container. The projectile transfers its momentum and kinetic energy through the fluid to the surrounding structure increasing the risk of catastrophic failure and excessive structural damage. It is of particular concern in the design of wing fuel tanks for aircraft since it has been identified as one of the important factors in aircraft vulnerability. For the present work, water-filled aluminium square tubes (6063-T5) were subjected to impact by steel spherical projectiles (12.5 mm diameter) at impact velocities of 600–900 m/s. The aluminium tubes were filled at different volumes to study how an air layer inside the tank might influence the impact behaviour. The test boxes were instrumented with five strain gauges and two pressure transducers. The formation process of the cavity was recorded with a high-speed camera. This work presents the results of these tests.This research was done with the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Education under Project reference DPI2005-06769, and of the University Carlos III of Madrid and Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid under project reference CCG07-UC3M/DPI-3395.Publicad

Experimental study of CFRP fluid-filled tubes subjected to high-velocity impact

In recent years, vulnerability against high-velocity impact loads has become an increasingly critical issue in the design of composite aerospace structures. The effects of Hydrodynamic Ram (HRAM), a phenomenon that occurs when a high-energy object penetrates a fluid-filled container, are of particular concern in the design of wing fuel tanks for aircraft because it has been identified as one of the important factors in aircraft vulnerability. The projectile transfers its momentum and kinetic energy through the fluid to the surrounding structure, increasing the risk of catastrophic failure and excessive structural damage. For the present work, water-filled CFRP square tubes were subjected to an impact of steel spherical projectiles (12.5 mm diameter) at impact velocities of 600–900 m/s. The CFRP tubes were filled to different volumes to examine how volume might influence the tank behavior. The composite test boxes were instrumented with six strain gauges and two pressure transducers, and the formation process of the cavity was recorded using a high-speed camera. The damage produced in the tubes was then analyzed, and differences were found according to the testing conditions. This work presents the results of these tests.The authors would like to acknowledge the Center for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) of Spain and to the company AERNNOVA Aerospace for the financial support for this research.Publicad

Numerical Analysis of the Hydrodynamic Ram Phenomenon in Aircraft Fuel Tanks

Hydrodynamic ram (H RAM) is a phenomenon that occurs when a high-energetic object penetrates a fluid-filled container. The projectile transfers its momentum and kinetic energy through the fluid to the surrounding structure, increasing the risk of catastrophic failure and excessive structural damage on adjacent components. It is of particular concern in the design of wing fuel tanks for aircraft because it has been identified as one of the important factors in aircraft vulnerability. To study the aforementioned phenomenon, water-filled aluminum tubes (to different volume percentages) were subjected to impact of spherical projectiles. This work is focused on the analysis of energies, momenta, and pressure contours obtained by means of a previously developed and validated numerical model to achieve a better understanding of the fluid/structure interaction problem that takes place during the HRAM phenomenon.This research was done with the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under Project references DPI/2008-06408 and DPI/2010-15123, and of the Region of Madrid and University Carlos III of Madrid under Project reference CCG10-UC3M/DPI-4694Publicad

Numerical analysis of high velocity impacts on unidirectional laminates

In this work a numerical methodology to predict the behavior of composite unidirectional laminates under high velocity impact is developed. In order to validate the model, experimental results of high velocity impacts of steel sphere against laminate coupons, were accomplished. The residual velocity in case of penetration and the damaged area in the panel are the variables chosen to validate the results obtained in the numerical methodology proposed. Finally an analysis of the influence of the projectile geometry is accomplished. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Analytical modelling of high velocity impacts of cylindrical projectiles on carbon/epoxy laminates

8 pages, 15 figures.-- Special Issue: JNC 15 - 15èmes Journées Nationales sur les Composites (Marseille, France, Jun 6-8, 2007).In this work an analytical model has been developed in order to predict the residual velocity of a cylindrical steel projectile, after impacting into a woven carbon/epoxy thin laminate. The model is based in an energy balance, in which the kinetic projectile energy is absorbed by the laminate through three different mechanisms: linear momentum transfer, fiber failure and laminate crushing. This last mechanism needs the quantification of the through-thickness compressive strength, which has been evaluated by means of quasi-static punch tests. Finally, high velocity impact tests have been accomplished in a wide range of velocities, to validate the model.This research was done with the financial support of the University Carlos III of Madrid and of the Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid under Projects CCG08-UC3M/MAT-4464 and CCG08-UC3M/DPI-4348.Publicad

Analysis of Ice Impact Process at High Velocity

In this work the high velocity impact of ice spheres is analysed. An experimental methodology has been developed in order to launch, at high velocity, ice spheres of different diameters against a load cell to measure the force induced during the impact. An analysis of the influence of the ice mass on the impact force is accomplished using the contact force which was calculated by means of an inverse problem technique. Finally a study of the impact phenomenon has been performed using the videos obtained with a high speed camera.This research was done with the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Education under Project reference DPI2013-41094-R

Experimental analysis of normal and oblique high velocity impacts on carbon/epoxy tape laminates

In this work, the effect of high velocity impacts on carbon/epoxy tape quasi-isotropic laminates is studied. Experimental test were carried out at two different impact angles and in a wide range of velocities (from 80 to 490 m/s). Both parameters, the residual velocity and the damaged area, are used to evaluate the effect of the kinetic energy of the projectile on the laminate response. In addition it has been proposed a simplified analytical model which allows to identify the different energy absorbtion mechanisms and predict the residual velocity of the projectile. Finally the energy absorbed by the laminate during the impact is studied.This research was done with the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Ed- ucation under Project reference DPI2010-15123 and of the Region of Madrid and University Carlos III of Madrid under Project reference CCG10-UC3M/DPI-4694

Analysis of high velocity impacts of steel cylinders on thin carbon/epoxy woven laminates

In this work a numerical model was developed to predict the behavior of thin woven laminates under high velocity impacts. The material model, implemented in a user subroutine to be used with a commercial FE code, takes into account different failure mechanisms. The inter-lamina failure prediction is achieved by means of the use of cohesive elements. Finally, in order to validate the model, experimental tests were accomplished in a wide range of velocities from 100 to 400 m/s. Residual velocity of the projectile and damaged area of the laminates are compared with the numerical results. Once the model is validated, a further investigation has been made in order to analyze the influence of projectile slenderness on the laminate response.This research was done with the ¯nancial support of the Spanish Ministry of Education under Project reference DPI2010-15123 and of the Region of Madrid and University Carlos III of Madrid under Project reference CCG10-UC3M/DPI-4694

On the influence of filling level in CFRP aircraft fuel tank subjected to high velocity impacts

In this work, the process of impact that takes place in a partially filled tank is analyzed, performing a numerical simulation, in order to understand the response of the composite laminated structure. The commercial finite-element code LS-DYNA v.R7 has been used to simulate an Hydrodynamic RAM event created by a steel spherical projectile impacting a partially water-filled woven CFRP square tube using two different approaches (MM-ALE and SPH). The intralaminar and interlaminar damage have been taken into account implementing an user subroutine and by means of a cohesive interaction, respectively. Once the numerical model is validated using available experimental data, the effect of the filling level in the failure of the tank is analyzed in detail taking advantage of the information provided by the numerical model. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This research was done with the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Education under Project reference DPI2010-15123 and of the Region of Madrid and University Carlos III of Madrid under Project reference CCG10-UC3M/DPI-4694