DYNAMIC POLYMERIC FOAM EVALUATION TO MINIMIZE BEHIND ARMOR BLUNT TRAUMA (BABT): FROM MATERIAL CHARACTERIZATION TO SIMULATION VALIDATION

Abstract

This paper deals with the characterization of the dynamic behavior and the damping capability of a polymeric foam that is implemented on soldiers’ chest. Split Hopkinson Pressure Bars (SHPB) experiments have been performed at strain rates ranging from 420 to 5100 s-1. The effect of confinement on the deviatoric behavior of the material has been investigated through unconfined and confined experiments. The damping behavior was studied with the help of ballistic tests. Steel spheres were launched on the foam with an aluminum reference backing. 3D Digital Image Correlation (DIC) with two high speed cameras was set up to monitor the back-face deformation and evaluate the dynamic damping capability of the polymeric foam. At the end, a material model was calibrated using the results of the SHPB experiments and the simulation of the ballistic tests showed a very correction with the impact experiment