Methodology for Determining Ballistic Shock Damage to Internal Components Mounted within Combat Vehicles
Ms. Jennifer Akers, U.S. ARL

Mr. Michael Gillich, U.S. ARL
Mr. Ed Fioravante, U.S. ARL

Abstract:
The vulnerability of internal components in a combat vehicle to a ballistic shock environment has become a more critical concern as light weight vehicles become more readily used in combat situations.  Thus, the need exists for an engineering level model that can be used to determine shock effects to internal components.  A methodology for determining these shock effects to equipment is presented. 
The methodology compares the calculated shock response at the internal component mounting locations with pre-existing fragility data for that component or for a similar component.  These calculated responses are obtained through finite element modeling (FEM) of the vehicle structure that is based on a given kinetic energy (KE) impact value, and is expressed in terms of a pseudo-velocity shock response spectrum (PSRS).  It is then determined if these PSRS values at the component mounting locations exceed the known equipment fragility threshold.  In order to make the PSRS values usable for varied levels of KE impact, the FEM is assumed to behave linearly, and thus the responses can be scaled as desired.  Shock mounting, and mounting locations for the internal components are key factors that affect the results obtained in the comparison.  Equipment mounting location detail at the FEM level, for example modeling the equipment mounting racks, affects the responses used in the comparison.  The methodology presented will be implemented within the U.S. Army Research Laboratory’s vehicle vulnerability/lethality analysis models.

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