Numerical study of Impact on a panel made of hyperelastic rubber

This paper presents a study using numerical simulation of projectile impact on rubber panels in order to investigate the response of the panel. The study is conducted using a finite element analysis (FEA) software, Ls-Dyna., and residual velocity of projectile is evaluated. Ls-Dyna offers a variety of material models, each with capabilities designed to capture the unique behavior of a different types of rubber. The selection of the right material model depend on the structure of the material, determined in the tensile test. Tensile test is performed on rubber plate sample and the relation between the stress and the strain is obtained. Based on this stress-strain diagram, the material model is chosen.By attention to high damping properties of the rubber, it can be expected that the projectile residual velocity will besignificantly decreased. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that rubber can be considered as a potential material to be selected as projectile stopper.