Perforation Limit of Steel-Concrete-Steel Barriers Resisting Impact

Abstract

Introducing a numerical modelling and formulae to predict ballistic limit (perforation velocity or perforation limit) of concrete barriers strengthened with steel plates and subjected to rigid projectile impact was the aim of this study. A formula to predict the perforation limit of front steel-concrete (S-C) target is proposed. A formula to predict the perforation limit of steel-concrete-steel (S-C-S) target is also proposed which reflects the significant effect of the rear steel liner. The results, being in good agreement with the experiment, have showed that the interaction between the concrete panel and the front steel liner (even with full bond assumption) has little effect on the perforation limit of the S-C target. In design of protective structures and regarding the percentage increase in perforation limit over reinforcement ratio of steel plates, the concrete-rear steel (C-S) target gives better result from the economic perspective than the S-C-S target. It is recommended to modify the power of compressive strength of concrete f c in the CEA-EDF perforation formula for concrete to avoid over-prediction of perforation limit when using high strength concrete. This modification may extend to other perforation formulae for concrete.