Hypervelocity impact computations with finite elements and meshfree particles

The ability of computations to model characteristics of hypervelocity impact is demonstrated using an algorithm for the automatic conversion of distorted finite elements to meshfree particles. The Lagrangian formulation tracks material boundaries and properties without the errors typical in an Eulerian formulation as the material traverses large distances. A computation of a sphere impacting a bumper is shown to reproduce three regions in the debris cloud that are observed in tests: a front region composed of droplets of melted projectile and target, a middle region of fragmented projectile, and a back region of spalled projectile. Additional computations reproduce the observed traits that result from variations in the projectile shape and obliquity. The computation of a projectile impacting spaced plates demonstrates the ability of the method to model the damage to the rear plate of a Whipple shield for spacecraft protection.