Finite element simulation of shaped charges

This paper analyzes by numerical simulation the formation, the fragmentation, and the penetration in a plate of a copper jet that develops in a shaped charge. A finite element Lagrangian code has been used to gain insight into this problem. The study is conducted in two dimensions, axisymmetric. An explicit contact/friction algorithm is used to treat multi-body dynamics. A remeshing algorithm is needed to follow the high deformation pattern of the copper jet. The calculations account for rate-dependent plasticity, heat conduction and thermal coupling. A criterion is introduced to model the jet break-up. The simulations reveal in particular a gradient of shear deformation across the jet. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved