Author(s)

J. Campbell & R. Vignjevic

Abstract

This paper presents part of the work on development of tools and modelling techniques for simulation of hypervelocity impact on spacecraft structures using the Lawrence Livermore DYNA3D code. Calculations were performed to evaluate the current capability of DYNA3D to model hypervelocity impact on multiple plate structures. These have shown that improvements need to be made to DYNA3D before it can be used to produce reliable and accurate results. Two important areas that require improvement are the contact algorithm and the equation of state. Impacts with relative velocities of up to 15 kms~* generate pressures of several Mbar. Existing DYNA equations of state (EOS) are not accurate at these high pressures and a new EOS was needed, hence the SESAME equation of state library was selected. This is a tabulated equation of state which covers the range

Keywords