Numerical and experimental investigation of liner top thickness on the formation and penetration performance of explosively formed projectiles
Author affiliations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15625/0866-7136/23163Keywords:
explosively formed projectile, liner thickness, numerical simulation, penetration depth, Ansys AutodynAbstract
This paper presents a detailed investigation, both numerical and experimental, into the influence of liner top thickness (denoted as δ₁) on the formation dynamics and terminal performance of explosively formed projectiles (EFPs). Six structural variants of a 54 mm caliber EFP warhead were modeled using Ansys Autodyn, with top thickness-to-diameter ratios (δ₁/d) ranging from 0.02 to 0.07. The simulations evaluated key performance metrics, including projectile velocity, kinetic energy distribution, penetration depth, and cavity dimensions. Results demonstrated that EFPs with δ₁/d between 0.03 and $0.05 achieved the best overall balance between aerodynamic stability, structural coherence, and penetration effectiveness. Experimental validation for a configuration with δ₁ = 2 mm (δ₁/d ≈ 0.044) showed good agreement in both velocity and cavity geometry. These findings provide robust design guidelines for optimizing EFP liners and confirm the reliability of numerical modeling for preliminary engineering evaluations.
Downloads
References
[1] D. Cardoso and F. Teixeira-Dias. Modelling the formation of explosively formed projectiles (EFP). International Journal of Impact Engineering, 93, (2016), pp. 116–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2016.02.014.
[2] D. Yang and J. Lin. Numerical investigation on the formation and penetration behavior of explosively formed projectile (EFP) with variable thickness liner. Symmetry, 13, (2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13081342.
[3] V. M. Do, D. T. Tran, X. S. Bui, H. Q. Pham, H. N. Pham, P. Konečný, T. A. Hoang, and D. T. To. Influence of liner curvature radiuses on the formation process and penetration capability of explosively formed projectile. In The 2025 International Conference on Military Technologies (ICMT), IEEE, (2025), pp. 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1109/icmt65201.2025.11061281.
[4] H. Q. Pham, V. M. Do, D. T. Tran, X. S. Bui, H. N. Pham, and D. T. To. Experimental and numerical study on the influence of liner height on explosively formed projectiles. Journal of Advances in Military Technology, 20, (2025), pp. 211–225. https://doi.org/10.3849/aimt.01961.
[5] M. Salkičević. Numerical simulations of the formation behavior of explosively formed projectiles. Defense and Security Studies, 3, (2022), pp. 1–14. https://doi.org/10.37868/dss.v3.id183.
[6] J. Wu, J. Liu, and Y. Du. Experimental and numerical study on the flight and penetration properties of explosively-formed projectile. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 34, (2007), pp. 1147–1162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2006.06.007.
[7] H. Couque and R. Boulanger. EFP simulations with Johnson-Cook models. In The 23rd International Symposium on Ballistics, Tarragona, Spain, (2007).
[8] H. Couque, R. Boulanger, and F. Bornet. A modified Johnson-Cook model for strain rates ranging from 103 to 105 s-1. Journal de Physique IV (Proceedings), 134, (2006), pp. 87–93. https://doi.org/10.1051/jp4:2006134015.
[9] G. Hussain, A. Hameed, J. G. Hetherington, P. C. Barton, and A. Q. Malik. Hydrocode simulation with modified Johnson-Cook model and experimental analysis of explosively formed projectiles. Journal of Energetic Materials, 31, (2013), pp. 143–155. https://doi.org/10.1080/07370652.2011.606453.
[10] G. R. Johnson and W. H. Cook. Fracture characteristics of three metals subjected to various strains, strain rates, temperatures and pressures. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 21, (1985), pp. 31–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-7944(85)90052-9.
[11] ANSYS, Inc. Ansys Autodyn user’s manual. Release 19.0, p. 512, (2021).
[12] M. R. Vaziri, M. Salimi, and M. Mashayekhi. A new calibration method for ductile fracture models as chip separation criteria in machining. Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory, 18, (2010), pp. 1286–1296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.simpat.2010.05.003.
[13] L. P. Orlenko. Physics of explosion and impact. Fizmatlit, Moscow, 2nd edition, (2008). (in Russian).
[14] N. T. Khiem and P. T. Hang. A novel damage index extracted from frequency response of cracked Timoshenko beam subjected to moving harmonic load. Vietnam Journal of Mechanics, 44, (2022), pp. 280–291. https://doi.org/10.15625/0866-7136/17546.
[15] M. V. Pham, M. N. Nguyen, and T. Q. Bui. A staggered local damage model for fracture analysis in bi-material structures. Vietnam Journal of Mechanics, 46, (2024), pp. 217–228. https://doi.org/10.15625/0866-7136/21007.
[16] N. H. Hao. Forming limit prediction of advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) using an enhanced ductile damage model. Vietnam Journal of Mechanics, 47, (2025), pp. 142–153. https://doi.org/10.15625/0866-7136/22179.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
