Development of Multi-Functional Add-On Hybrid Armor Models and Designs used for Vehicle Protection

• Author / Creator

  Pisavadia, Harshil H

• In the first part of this thesis, a validated polyurethane adhesive model is implemented into a system-scale ceramic/armor model for ballistic impact simulations. Here, the trilinear cohesive zone (TCZM) technique is used to simulate the dynamic failure of SikaForceTM6 7752-L60 polyurethane adhesive which is used to bond the alumina ceramic layer to the aluminum metal backing in add-on armor vehicle systems. The effect of adhesive thicknesses, manufacturing defects, and strain rates on the armor performance are explored. Armor performance was found to decrease with increasing adhesive thicknesses and defects (trapped air bubbles). Including strain rate terms in the material model increased the overall damage area of the adhesive, thus predicting a decrease in multi-hit capabilities. Overall, novel insights are provided for modelling adhesives using the TCZM technique in ceramic/metal armor systems.In the second part of this thesis, optical models are developed for micro- and macro-scale polyethylene-based metamaterials for thermal signature management applications. Specifically, micro-scale post and macro-scale lenticular lens designs (singleand sandwiched configurations) are explored for achieving thermal radiation control. The micro-scale post design was found to be highly emissive-tuneable through varying post configurations (e.g., post width, height, and spacings). Actively actuating the post configuration through strain modulation allowed to redshift the emissivity. The macro-scale lenticular lens configurations exhibited emissive stability for a range of configurations (e.g., lens radii, height, and strain modulation). In summary, the proposed polyethylene-based metamaterial models inform manufacturers of military vehicles and other equipment on designs for thermal signature management solutions.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Multi-scale modeling
  • Armor system
  • Ceramic/metal
  • Cohesive zone modeling
  • Ballistic impact
  • Adhesive failure
  • Adhesive defects
  • Thermal camouflage
  • Infrared emissivity
  • Multifunctional metamaterials
  • Infrared technology
  • Multiphysics modelling
  • Add-on hybrid armor models
  • Multi-functional models

• Graduation date

  Fall 2022

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-30nt-a540

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Library with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.