Joint Design for Advance Ceramic Armor under Ballistic Impact

The objective of this research is to develop a new methodology with software tools for the joint design of an advanced composite armor (ACA) under ballistic impact and other loading conditions. An innovative design methodology, topology optimization, is extended for the composite armor joint design problem. This includes ballistic impact analyses of the ACA, function analyses and targets setting of the various types of the joints in the ACA, algorithms of the optimal design process, and the design optimization of the joints. The performance of a nominal joint design is evaluated using LS-Dyna3D, which provides loading conditions for the optimal design process of an advanced joint. The final goal is to lay out a new joint concept that improves the structural performances and prevents the early damage of the joints under ballistic impacts. Other design objectives, such as manufacturability and reliability of the design, will also be considered in the future. Examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new design methodology developed.