Introduction

In modern protective structures, the threat posed by high-velocity projectiles—whether from military weaponry or industrial accidents—has necessitated the development of advanced armor systems. Among these, Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) has emerged as a promising material due to its exceptional compressive strength, ductility, and energy-absorbing capabilities.

However, UHPC alone may not provide sufficient resistance against high-speed impacts, particularly those involving armor-piercing projectiles. To enhance its protective performance, ceramic plates are often integrated as a front-layer shielding component. Ceramics, with their high hardness and low density, are highly effective in blunting, fracturing, or eroding incoming projectiles before they reach the underlying UHPC layer.

This study focuses on the analysis of ceramic plates as shielding for UHPC panels, evaluating their performance in mitigating penetration by various projectiles.

Explanation

1. Role of Ceramic Plates in Composite Armor Systems

Ceramic materials such as alumina (Al₂O₃), silicon carbide (SiC), or boron carbide (B₄C) are widely used in ballistic protection systems due to their:

• High hardness: Allows them to deform and fracture projectiles upon impact.
• Low density: Helps maintain a lightweight design.
• Brittle failure mode: Although they crack easily, this process absorbs significant energy.

When a projectile hits a ceramic plate:

• The initial impact blunts or fractures the projectile nose, reducing its penetrating capability.
• The cracking and fragmentation of the ceramic dissipates kinetic energy.
• The debris cloud and reduced projectile remnants then impact the UHPC layer, which further absorbs and contains the remaining energy.

2. UHPC as a Secondary Energy Absorber

After the ceramic layer is breached or degraded:

• UHPC acts as the second line of defense, leveraging its dense matrix, high tensile strength, and fiber reinforcement to prevent perforation and spalling.
• It delays and mitigates further penetration through microcracking, deflection of cracks, and fiber pull-out mechanisms.

3. Analytical and Numerical Analysis

Researchers use a combination of:

• Ballistic testing: Firing projectiles at ceramic-UHPC composite panels to observe penetration depth, spalling, and damage patterns.
• Finite element modeling (FEM): Simulating impact events to analyze stress distribution, material failure, and performance under different impact scenarios.
• Energy balance methods: Calculating how much kinetic energy is absorbed by each layer.

Key parameters include:

• Projectile type and velocity
• Ceramic thickness and material properties
• Bonding between ceramic and UHPC
• Impact angle and shape of the projectile

The integration of ceramic plates with UHPC panels significantly enhances the system’s resistance to projectile penetration. The ceramic layer disrupts the projectile, while the UHPC absorbs residual forces, together providing a synergistic protective effect. Ongoing research aims to optimize these composite systems in terms of cost, weight, and performance for applications in military defense, critical infrastructure, and transportation safety.