Structure of shock waves in glass fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites

Abstract

Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GRP) composites are attractive candidates for future combat vehicle armor systems. Due to their complex architecture, shock waves in GRP undergo geometric and material dispersion as well as attenuation with distance of shock wave propagation. In the present study a series of plate impact experiments is conducted to investigate the structure of shock waves in the GRP. The effects of material and geometric dispersion as well as the GRP’s hydrodynamic response on the attenuation of the shock waves are considered. It is observed that the hydrodynamic effects dictate the structure of shock waves in the GRP.