Strain-Wave Reflections During Ballistic Impact of Fabric Panels

Abstract

A numerical model is presented which describes the strain level build-up in yarns due to multiple strain wave reflections from yarn crossover intersections in a woven fabric subject to ballistic impact. Crossing yarns present barriers from which strain waves are partially reflected. The maximum yarn strain occurs at the point of impact and decays with distance along the yarn away from this point. The rapidity of decay is governed by the crossover reflection coefficient. Using observations of the deformation cone size of ballistically impacted fabric panels, it is concluded that the reflection coef ficient is small (approximately 0.01). The strain increases with time at different rates for different reflection coefficients until failure at the impact point. Extensions of this model to other fibrous structures are discussed.