Discrete Element Analysis to Predict Penetration and Perforation of Concrete Targets Struck by Rigid Projectiles

The increasing demand for infrastructure security requires accounting the risk of severe loading due to natural or manmade hazards, such as aircraft impacts. This paper presents a Discrete Element Method (DEM) approach implemented in EUROPLEXUS, fast dynamics software, able to predict damage of concrete structures under severe impacts. The proposed DEM model for concrete relies on the original development of Cundall and Strack for granular materials that was extended to cohesive materials, such as concrete, by introducing cohesive interactions in addition to contact ones. In order to validate the DEM approach, the simulation results of three hard impact tests are presented. The tests were performed by CEA Gramat on plain concrete targets with a passive confinement given by a steel jacket surrounding the cylindrical specimen and submitted to the impact of ogive-nosed steel projectiles.