Abstract
A combined Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and photoelastic study is performed on a hybrid composite, integral armor, to investigate its response under flexural loading condition at room temperature. The layered solid brick element, developed on the basis of constant transverse strain distribution through the thickness, has been used to model the complete integral armor. The transverse normal and shear strain distribution through the thickness becomes significant and severe in failure mechanisms, therefore multiple elements are used in the thickness direction to take care of nonlinearity by piecewise representation. Large deformation has been considered in the finite element analysis to account for the non-linearity encountered during the actual test. Photoelastic analysis is conducted on the integral armor to determine the stress-strain distribution through the thickness. A reflection polariscope is used to observe the fringe pattern developed under flexural loading in the photoelastic coating applied on the test specimen surface. Data generated using photoelastic analysis are presented to corroborate the finite element analysis findings, and a comparison in respect of strain behavior is presented. Reasonable correlation between the finite element modeling and photoelastic analysis results has been established.
