Three-dimensional numerical simulation of the Kalthoff experiment

We use the finite element code DYNA3D to analyze large thermomechanical deformations of a prenotched plate impacted on the notched side by a cylindrical projectile moving parallel to the axis of the notch. Both the projectile and the plate are assumed to be made of the same thermally softening but strain and strain-rate hardening material. It is found that the maximum speed imparted to points of the plate on the impact surface equals nearly 90% of the projectile speed, and the rise time depends upon the quasistatic yield stress of the material. Whereas deformations on the midsurface of the plate closely resemble a plane strain state of deformation, those on the traction free front and back surfaces are quite different. Thus measurements made on these surfaces may not describe well the deformations occurring in the interior of the plate.