Ceramic and Silicon Carbide Analysis Package in Abaqus

Categories: Abaqus, Ceramic and Silicon carbide, Composite Materials, Course, Finite Element, Fracture & Failure Analysis, Impact Engineering, Jh2 and Jhb model, Structures

Ceramic and Silicon Carbide simulation and analysis

Peyman Karampour

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During this practical and applicable course, you'll be a master in modeling and simulation.
This package includes 17 detailed tutorials that comprehensively explain ceramics and silicon carbide, step-by-step, utilizing numerous research papers and documentation.
Various material models, such as JHB, JH2, ductile damage, the Drucker–Prager yield criterion, EOS, Hahsin damage, ductile, JC hardening, JC damage, and others, are presented through simulations covering a wide range of scenarios, including high- and low-velocity impact, cold spray, pull-out tests, chip formation processes, bending, blast, and explosion analyses.

About Course

Introduction to Ceramic and Silicon Carbide Analysis Using the Finite Element Method (FEM)

1. Overview

Ceramic materials, particularly Silicon Carbide (SiC), play a crucial role in advanced engineering applications where high strength, stiffness, wear resistance, and thermal stability are required.
However, their brittle nature and complex failure mechanisms make experimental characterization difficult and expensive.
Therefore, Finite Element Method (FEM) simulation has become an essential tool for analyzing the mechanical, thermal, and multiphysics behavior of ceramics and SiC under various conditions.

This package includes 17 detailed tutorials that comprehensively explain ceramics and silicon carbide. Various material models, such as JHB, JH2, ductile damage, the Drucker–Prager yield criterion, EOS, and others, are presented through simulations covering a wide range of scenarios, including high- and low-velocity impact, cold spray, pull-out tests, chip formation processes, bending, blast, and explosion analyses.

2. Characteristics of Ceramics and Silicon Carbide

Ceramics are inorganic, non-metallic materials with:

High hardness and elastic modulus
Low ductility and fracture toughness
Strong temperature and corrosion resistance

Among ceramics, Silicon Carbide (SiC) stands out due to:

High thermal conductivity (~120–270 W/m·K)
Low thermal expansion coefficient (~4.0 × 10⁻⁶ /K)
High strength up to ~1000°C
Excellent chemical inertness

These characteristics make SiC ideal for applications in aerospace, defense, power electronics, and high-temperature structural components.

3. Role of FEM in Ceramic and SiC Analysis

The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a numerical technique used to approximate solutions to complex problems in engineering and physics.
In the context of ceramics and SiC, FEM enables:

Prediction of stress–strain distributions under mechanical and thermal loads
Assessment of fracture initiation and crack propagation
Evaluation of thermal shock resistance
Design optimization of ceramic components (geometry, layering, or composite reinforcement)

Because ceramics often fail catastrophically, FEM helps predict critical stress regions and avoid failure through virtual testing before physical fabrication.

4. FEM Workflow for Ceramic and SiC Simulation

A typical FEM analysis of ceramic or SiC materials includes the following steps:

(1) Geometry Definition

Create a 2D or 3D model of the component — e.g., turbine blade, plate, coating, or composite structure.

(2) Material Properties Input

Define temperature-dependent material properties such as:

Elastic modulus (E)
Poisson’s ratio (ν)
Density (ρ)
Thermal conductivity (k)
Coefficient of thermal expansion (α)
Fracture toughness (K_IC)

For SiC, nonlinear or anisotropic models may be applied for high-temperature or composite variants (e.g., SiC–SiC).

(3) Meshing

Discretize the model into finite elements (tetrahedral, hexahedral, etc.).
A finer mesh is applied in regions expected to experience high stress gradients or cracks.

(4) Boundary and Loading Conditions

Apply:

Mechanical loads: pressure, tension, or impact
Thermal loads: temperature gradients or heat flux
Constraints: fixed supports or contact interactions

Conclusion

FEM has become an indispensable tool for understanding and optimizing the performance of ceramic and Silicon Carbide materials.
It enables engineers to predict failure modes, analyze thermal-mechanical coupling, and design reliable high-temperature components with minimal experimental cost.
Ongoing advancements in computational power and fracture modeling continue to expand FEM’s capability to accurately simulate the complex behavior of brittle ceramic materials like SiC.

Course Content

Example-1: Air blast analysis of a composite panel(CFRP-Ceramic-GFPP)
In this lesson, the air blast analysis of a composite panel (CFRP–Ceramic–GFPP) is studied. The CFRP and glass fiber polypropylene (GFPP) layers are modeled as shell parts with multiple plies, while the ceramic core is modeled as a solid part. The Johnson–Holmquist–Beissel (JHB) model consists of three main components: A representation of the deviatoric strength of the intact and fractured material, expressed as a pressure-dependent yield surface. A damage model that transitions the material from the intact state to the fractured state. An equation of state (EOS) that defines the pressure–density relationship, accounting for dilation (bulking) effects and potential phase changes. To model the ceramic behavior under severe pressure loading, the JHB material model is selected. The Hashin failure criterion is implemented in conjunction with a damage evolution law, which is based on four fracture energy values (Gf), each corresponding to degradation in a specific failure mode. The Hashin criterion identifies four distinct failure modes in composite materials: Tensile fiber failure Compressive fiber failure Tensile matrix failure Compressive matrix failure To model the CFRP and GFPP composite materials, the Hashin damage criterion is applied. A dynamic explicit step with perfect contact among the parts is used in the analysis. The CONWEP air blast method, which defines the explosion phenomenon based on the TNT mass and its location, is employed to simulate the blast loading.

Abaqus Files
Document
Tutorial Video
00:00

Example-2: Cold spray process modeling of a ceramic particle on the steel material
In this section, the cold spray process modeling of a ceramic particle impacting a steel substrate is investigated. The ceramic particle is modeled as a three-dimensional solid part, and the steel target is also modeled as a solid part. The dimensions of all parts are defined in micrometers.Cold spray is a materials deposition process in which combinations of metallic and non-metallic particles are consolidated to form a coating or freestanding structure through ballistic impingement onto a suitable substrate. The particles used are typically commercially available powders, ranging in size from 5 to 100 μm, and are accelerated to velocities between 300 and 1500 m/s by injection into a high-velocity gas stream.The high-velocity gas stream is generated by the expansion of a pressurized, preheated gas through a converging–diverging de Laval nozzle. As the gas expands to supersonic velocity, its pressure and temperature decrease. The particles, initially carried by a separate gas stream, are injected into the nozzle either upstream or downstream of the throat. They are subsequently accelerated by the main nozzle gas flow and impact the substrate upon exiting the nozzle.To model the steel behavior under high strain rates, the Johnson–Cook hardening and damage model is applied. To represent the brittle behavior of the ceramic particle, the Johnson–Holmquist (JH) material model is used. A dynamic explicit step with surface-to-surface contact is employed for this simulation.

Example-3: Analysis of the ceramic plates as shielding for concrete blocks against projectile penetration
In this case, the analysis of ceramic plates used as shielding for concrete blocks against projectile penetration is presented. The ceramic plate and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) are modeled as three-dimensional solid parts, while the bullet is also modeled as a solid part.In both civilian and military applications, concrete has long been used as a construction material for protective structures. There is great demand for designing facilities such as nuclear plants, power plants, military structures, water-retaining structures, and highway barriers that can resist penetration and perforation caused by kinetic projectiles. These projectiles may result from both accidental and deliberate impacts or blast scenarios.When a hard projectile impacts a concrete target, the critical impact energy of the projectile is the primary factor responsible for the deformation of the concrete. Therefore, the determination of the critical impact energy—capable of causing penetration and perforation in concrete structures—is essential for understanding the dynamic response of concrete under high-velocity impact conditions.In this example, a numerical simulation is conducted to investigate the effect of using ceramic plates as reinforcement for concrete targets.Efficient and accurate numerical prediction of kinetic energy penetrator impacts on concrete structures requires three key components:Appropriate numerical techniques A reliable set of constitutive laws Accurate material data input for those constitutive laws A combined mesh and mesh-free approach, as developed in Abaqus, is used for simulating projectile impacts on both plain and shielded concrete structures. The concrete target is represented numerically using a mesh-based Lagrangian technique, except in regions expected to experience high deformation. In these critical regions, a mesh-free Lagrangian technique—Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH)—is employed to overcome problems such as mesh tangling and to eliminate the need for erosion algorithms. The technique for creating a continuous transition between mesh-based and mesh-free Lagrangian regions is also implemented. The ceramic plate is explicitly represented using the mesh-free Lagrangian (SPH) element formulation. The portion of the concrete near the point of impact, which undergoes large deformation, is also modeled with the SPH solver. The projectile (penetrator) and the outer regions of the concrete that experience little or no deformation are modeled using the Lagrangian solver.

Example-4: Pull-out behavior of a silicon carbide(ceramic) nail from the bone
In this lesson, the pull-out behavior of a silicon carbide (ceramic) nail from bone is studied. Both the ceramic nail (or screw) and the bone are modeled as three-dimensional solid parts. Due to the geometric complexity of the parts, they are imported into Abaqus for analysis.Cortical screws are designed for dense cortical bone, while cancellous screws are used for less dense cancellous bone. Cortical screws typically have a lower thread depth and a more aggressive pitch, allowing them to engage effectively with cortical bone.To model the ceramic behavior, a combination of material models—including elastic properties, an equation of state (EOS), Drucker–Prager hardening, and the ductile damage criterion—is used. This combination can accurately represent the brittle behavior of the ceramic nail. The Johnson–Cook hardening and damage model is also applied to simulate the bone behavior under dynamic loading conditions.A dynamic explicit step is used for this type of analysis. The mass scaling technique is also applied to reduce the computational time and approximate the response as quasi-static. Two types of interactions are defined in the model: frictional behavior and perfect contact between the surfaces.

Example-5: Ballistic impact simulation of a steel bullet on the ceramic panel reinforced with Green Composite
In this section, the ballistic impact simulation of a steel bullet on a ceramic panel reinforced with a green composite is investigated. The bullet is modeled as a three-dimensional solid part, the ceramic panel as a solid part, and the green composite as a three-dimensional shell part.To model the steel bullet material under rapid deformation, the Johnson–Cook plasticity and damage model is used. The Johnson–Cook plasticity model is a specific type of von Mises plasticity model that employs analytical expressions for the hardening law and strain-rate dependence. It is suitable for high-strain-rate deformation of many materials, including most metals. Abaqus/Explicit provides a dynamic failure model specifically for use with the Johnson–Cook plasticity model, making it appropriate for simulating metal deformation under high impact loads.To model ceramic behavior, the Johnson–Holmquist (JH-2) constitutive model is employed. The JH-2 model assumes that the damage variable increases progressively with plastic deformation, effectively representing the brittle response of ceramics under high-velocity impact.To model the green composite with multiple layers, Hashin’s damage criterion is applied. Damage initiation refers to the onset of material degradation at a specific point. In Abaqus, the damage initiation criteria for fiber-reinforced composites are based on Hashin’s theory, which considers four distinct damage mechanisms:Fiber tensionFiber compressionMatrix tensionMatrix compressionA dynamic explicit step with a defined time duration is appropriate for this type of analysis. The general contact algorithm is used to define contact interactions among all parts. To model the interface between the ceramic panel and the green composite plate, a tie constraint is applied.

Example-6: Steel bullet impact analysis on the armor panel(Ceramic- Aluminum Foam)
In this case, the analysis of a steel bullet impacting an armor panel composed of ceramic and aluminum foam is presented. The steel bullet, ceramic layer, and aluminum foam are all modeled as three-dimensional solid parts. Due to symmetry conditions, one-quarter of the full model is used to reduce the simulation time. The primary objective of this analysis is to investigate damage behavior.To model the steel bullet behavior, an elastic–plastic model with ductile and shear damage is employed. Two main mechanisms can cause the fracture of a ductile metal:Ductile fracture, resulting from the nucleation, growth, and coalescence of voids; andShear fracture, resulting from shear band localization. Based on phenomenological observations, these two mechanisms require different forms of criteria to predict the onset of damage.To model the ceramic (or silicon carbide) material, the Johnson–Holmquist (JH-2) model is applied. Ceramic materials are widely used in armor protection systems. In recent years, Johnson, Holmquist, and their collaborators have developed a series of constitutive relations to simulate the response of ceramic materials under conditions of large strain, high strain rate, and high pressure. The JH-2 model assumes that the damage variable increases progressively with plastic deformation, effectively capturing ceramic failure behavior.To represent the metal foam behavior, the crushable foam hardening model combined with the ductile damage criterion is used.A dynamic explicit step with general contact capability is appropriate for this type of analysis. Perfect contact is assumed between the ceramic and aluminum foam plates. Symmetry boundary conditions are applied to the symmetry planes, and the initial velocity of the steel bullet is defined as a predefined field.

Example-7: Rigid projectile impact modeling on the ceramic-CFRP panel
In this lesson, the impact of a rigid projectile on a ceramic–CFRP panel is studied. The rigid projectile is modeled as a three-dimensional shell part, the ceramic as a three-dimensional thick solid part, and the CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer) as a three-dimensional shell part with sixteen layers. Ceramic materials are widely used in armor protection applications. In recent years, Johnson, Holmquist, and their collaborators have developed a series of constitutive relations to simulate the response of ceramic materials under large strain, high strain rate, and high-pressure impact conditions. The target material in this study is silicon carbide, which is very hard and primarily used under compressive load conditions, sustaining very little tension. Typical applications include bulletproof vests and car brakes due to their high endurance. Its strength is pressure-dependent, and in high-speed impact scenarios, material damage significantly influences the evolution of strength. Fully failed silicon carbide will not sustain any load. In this simulation, the Johnson–Holmquist material model is used to represent the ceramic behavior. Damage initiation refers to the onset of material degradation at a given point. In Abaqus, the damage initiation criteria for fiber-reinforced composites are based on Hashin’s theory, which considers four different mechanisms: fiber tension, fiber compression, matrix tension, and matrix compression. Sixteen layers with varying fiber orientations are used to define the CFRP layup. A dynamic explicit step with general contact capability is used for the simulation. Perfect contact is assumed between the ceramic and CFRP layers. Due to symmetry, one-quarter of the model is simulated, and corresponding symmetry boundary conditions are applied to the symmetry planes. The initial velocity is applied to the rigid projectile.

Example-8: Chip forming analysis of a silicon carbide workpiece
In this section, the chip forming analysis of a silicon carbide workpiece is investigated. Silicon carbide is an advanced ceramic material renowned for its: Extremely high hardness (second only to diamond) Excellent wear resistance High thermal conductivity and low thermal expansion Chemical inertness and high-temperature stability These properties make SiC ideal for applications in cutting tools, armor, electronics, and high-temperature structural components. However, the brittle nature of SiC poses significant challenges in machining and material removal, requiring precise analysis to optimize cutting processes and reduce tool wear or fracture. Chip formation analysis is the study of how material is removed from a workpiece during machining, typically in turning, milling, or grinding processes. For SiC workpieces, this analysis is crucial because: The material’s brittle behavior leads to cracking, chipping, and micro-fracture instead of ductile deformation. High cutting forces can cause tool damage or catastrophic failure. Thermal effects from friction can induce micro-cracks, affecting surface quality. Understanding the chip formation mechanism allows engineers to: Predict cutting forces, stress, and temperature distribution Optimize tool geometry, cutting speed, and feed rates Minimize surface damage, residual stresses, and micro-cracks Silicon is a widely used semiconductor material in optoelectronic industries due to its unique chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. For example, monocrystalline silicon is the primary photovoltaic material used in solar cells. Ultra-precision optical machining is commonly applied to achieve the optimal surface finish of silicon, which significantly influences the mechanical, optical, and electrical performance of silicon-based components and devices. In this tutorial, to model silicon carbide behavior, the shear modulus, Us-Up equation of state, Drucker–Prager plasticity, and ductile damage with evolution are selected. These parameters effectively capture the behavior of brittle materials under cutting or severe load conditions. A dynamic explicit step with the mass scaling technique is used to create a quasi-static model and reduce simulation time. The general contact capability with frictional behavior for all parts in the contact domain is applied.

Example-9: Sequential air blast resistance simulation of the composite slab(ceramic-Aluminum foam)
To model aluminum foam (or metal foam) behavior, the crushable foam material model is selected. For ceramic behavior under severe load, the ductile damage criterion, Drucker–Prager plasticity, and equation of state are used. Using these material models, Abaqus can accurately represent the response of the ceramic under high-stress conditions. A dynamic explicit step is used across three separate simulations. In the first simulation, the analysis is performed, and the results are imported into the second simulation as initial conditions. The results of the second simulation are then imported into the third simulation. In all three simulations, the amount and location of TNT can be varied. Perfect contact is assumed between the ceramic and aluminum foam. The CONWEP air blast procedure is used to model TNT detonation in all three analyses. Fixed boundary conditions are applied to all sides of the panel.

Example-10: Numerical analysis of the three-point bending of a composite panel(ceramic-steel-aluminum)
In this lesson, the numerical analysis of the three-point bending of a composite panel (ceramic–steel–aluminum) is studied. The ceramic and steel plates are modeled as three-dimensional solid parts, while the aluminum honeycomb core is modeled as a three-dimensional shell part. Three rigid bodies are used to represent the hydraulic jack and boundary supports. Composite sandwich structures are widely used in engineering applications due to their lightweight, high stiffness, good damage tolerance, and energy-absorbing capacity. To model steel behavior, elastic properties and Johnson–Cook plasticity are used. The Johnson–Cook plasticity model is suitable for high-strain-rate deformation of many materials, including most metals. It is a specific type of von Mises plasticity model with analytical formulations for the hardening law and strain-rate dependence. To model ceramic behavior, the Johnson–Holmquist (JH) model is applied. This model assumes that the damage variable increases progressively with plastic deformation, representing the brittle behavior of ceramics. The aluminum core is modeled as an elastic–plastic material. A dynamic explicit step is appropriate for this type of analysis. Perfect contact is assumed among the deformable parts, and general contact with friction is used as the contact property. Surface-to-surface contacts are applied to define interactions between the rigid bodies and the ceramic and steel plates.

Example-11: Ballistic impact simulation on the ceramic-titanium composite armor
In this section, the ballistic impact simulation on a ceramic–titanium composite armor is investigated. The ceramic, titanium, and composite layers are modeled as three-dimensional solid parts, while the bullet is also modeled as a three-dimensional solid part. The use of lightweight armor systems against ballistic threats is important in military applications, as they provide a high level of ballistic protection while simultaneously increasing the mobility of tanks and other military vehicles. Previously, high-hardness steel was widely used in armor architectures because it provided sufficiently high ballistic performance. However, it did not significantly reduce structural weight. In recent years, a new type of armor system has been developed, consisting of a hard ceramic front plate and an energy-absorbing metal or high-tensile-strength fiber layer. In this system, the front ceramic plate blunts and shatters the impacting projectile, while the back laminate materials absorb the remaining kinetic energy and support the ceramic and projectile fragments to prevent further damage. To model ceramic behavior under high-velocity impact, the Johnson–Holmquist model is used. The Johnson–Cook plasticity and damage models are applied to titanium to predict damage zones under impact. For the epoxy–glass fiber laminate, elastic behavior is modeled at the lamina level, and Hashin’s damage criterion with damage evolution is used to capture fiber damage during impact. A dynamic explicit procedure is employed for this type of analysis. General contact with friction is applied to model interactions between all parts. Cohesive behavior is used to simulate separation between the composite layers, while perfect contact is assumed among other parts. Proper boundary conditions are assigned to the target, and the initial velocity is applied to the bullet.

Example-12: High-velocity impact modeling of a brass projectile on the Ceramic-Aluminum-Glass fiber panel
In this case, the high-velocity impact of a brass projectile on a ceramic–aluminum–glass fiber panel is presented. The brass projectile, ceramic plate, aluminum plate, and epoxy–glass layers are all modeled as three-dimensional parts.The brass material is modeled using elastic properties combined with Johnson–Cook plasticity and damage. The ceramic plate is modeled using the Beissel model, while the epoxy–glass layers are represented with elastic properties, failure stress, and Hashin’s damage criterion.A dynamic explicit step is used for this type of analysis. Since Abaqus/CAE cannot directly model erosion and internal element failure, the input file capabilities are employed to define internal damage and material erosion. General contact is applied to all interacting parts via the input file. Fixed boundary conditions are assigned around the plates, and the initial velocity of 550 m/s is applied to the projectile.

Example-13: Blast resistance analysis of a sandwich structure(Ceramic-Foam-Aluminum)
In this lesson, the blast resistance analysis of a sandwich structure (Ceramic–Foam–Aluminum) is studied. Due to their low weight and superior flexural properties, sandwich structures—composed of strong, stiff skins bonded to low-density cores—are increasingly used in a wide range of engineering applications. To take advantage of their dynamic performance and overall light weight, engineers have been investigating the energy-absorbing characteristics of sandwich structures under blast loading.The model consists of three parts: the silicon (ceramic) plate, the foam core, and the aluminum layer. The goal of this simulation is to protect the aluminum part under blast loading. The Johnson–Cook plasticity and damage model is used for aluminum, the crushable foam model with elasticity is used for the foam, and a suitable material model is applied for silicon carbide.A dynamic explicit step is appropriate for this type of analysis. Perfect contact is assigned between all surfaces. Due to symmetry, only one-quarter of the model is simulated. The CONWEP procedure is used to model the air blast explosion.

Example-14: Prediction model of depth of penetration for alumina ceramics under garnet impact
In this section, the prediction model of the depth of penetration for alumina ceramics under garnet impact is investigated. Both the target and the projectile are modeled as three-dimensional parts. The JH-2 constitutive model is used to describe the response of ceramic materials under high strain rates. This model requires several material constants to fully characterize the behavior of a particular ceramic. The dimensions of the target are 1000 × 400 × 400 μm³. The boundary conditions are defined as follows: nodes on the top face impacted by the particle are free, while nodes on the other five exterior faces are fixed. A refined mesh is applied near the impact area, and a coarser mesh is used farther away from the impact zone. The abrasive particle is modeled as a sphere using rigid 3D tetrahedral solid elements. A dynamic explicit procedure is appropriate for this type of analysis. The initial velocity of the garnet particle is set to 700 m/s. After the impact, the damage variable becomes evident, and the garnet penetrates the ceramic target.

Example-15: High-velocity impact analysis of a steel rod on the ceramic-composite panel
In this case, the high-velocity impact analysis of a steel rod on the ceramic-composite panel is investigated. High-velocity impact analysis is a critical aspect of studying protective armor systems and understanding the dynamic response of ceramic–composite panels subjected to projectile impacts. Such studies are particularly important for applications in military, aerospace, and civil protection, where lightweight, high-strength armor materials must resist penetration from kinetic projectiles. The goal of this analysis is to predict penetration depth, damage patterns, and residual stresses in the ceramic–composite panel and to evaluate the effectiveness of armor design under high-velocity steel rod impact. By analyzing stress distribution, fracture propagation, and energy absorption, engineers can optimize panel architecture and material selection for improved ballistic performance. Steel rods or similar rigid projectiles are often used as representative high-velocity threats in experimental and numerical studies. The high hardness and density of steel generate large localized stresses on the target, challenging both the ceramic layer’s brittle resistance and the composite layer’s energy absorption capacity. Understanding the interaction between the projectile and the armor layers is essential for optimizing layer thickness, material selection, and laminate orientation.

Example-16: High-velocity impact modeling on a ceramic target using the Johnson-Holmquist material model
In this lesson, the high-velocity impact modeling on a ceramic target using the Johnson-Holmquist material model is studied. High-velocity impacts on ceramic targets are critical phenomena in ballistic protection, aerospace engineering, and impact-resistant material design. Ceramics are widely used in protective systems due to their high hardness, stiffness, and compressive strength, making them highly effective at blunting and fracturing high-speed projectiles. However, their brittle nature and low tensile strength pose significant challenges, as ceramics tend to crack and fragment under impact, which must be carefully captured in numerical simulations. The Johnson–Holmquist (JH-2) material model is specifically developed to represent the dynamic behavior of brittle ceramics under high-strain-rate, large-deformation, and high-pressure conditions. Unlike conventional elastic or plastic models, the JH-2 model accounts for: Pressure-dependent strength, capturing the increase in material resistance under compressive loads. Damage accumulation represents the progressive degradation of the material due to cracking and fragmentation. Equation of state (EOS), linking pressure and volumetric strain to simulate compaction and densification effects during impact. In high-velocity impact modeling, a projectile, such as a steel rod or sphere, is typically represented as a rigid or elastic–plastic body, while the ceramic target is modeled using the JH-2 material model. The simulation captures critical phenomena such as: Stress wave propagation through the ceramic target. Crack initiation and propagation, leading to material fragmentation. Projectile penetration depth and residual kinetic energy. Interaction with backing layers if the ceramic is part of a composite armor system. The Finite Element Method (FEM), particularly dynamic explicit analysis in software such as Abaqus/Explicit, is well-suited for this type of simulation because it can handle large deformations, severe material failure, and high-strain-rate events. Mesh refinement near the impact site, proper contact definitions, and accurate material parameter selection are critical for capturing realistic ceramic response under ballistic loading. The primary goal of such simulations is to predict the mechanical response of ceramics under high-velocity impact, including the damage patterns, energy absorption, and failure mechanisms, which are essential for designing lightweight, high-performance armor systems and impact-resistant structures. The Lagrangian description is used for both the projectile and the target. General contact with surface erosion is used for all three cases. Element deletion and node erosion are considered. The JH-2 model. Unlike the JHB model, the JH-2 model assumes that the damage variable increases progressively with plastic deformation.

Example-17: Analysis of the composite panel(steel-ceramic-steel) under high-velocity impact
In this section, the analysis of a composite panel (steel–ceramic–steel) under high-velocity impact is investigated. Armor systems containing ceramic components can significantly outperform monolithic metals of equivalent areal density. Their performance depends not only on the intrinsic properties of the constituent materials but also on the relative amounts and spatial arrangement of the ceramic and metal layers. For applications involving military ground vehicles, the armor must be designed to protect against a range of projectile threats while remaining lightweight to maintain vehicle maneuverability, load-carrying capacity, and fuel efficiency. In the present study, numerical simulations using established constitutive laws for the constituent materials are employed to investigate the effects of design on the ballistic performance of model composite armors comprising layers of ceramic and metal. Comparisons are made based on equivalent areal density. Two steel plates and a ceramic layer are modeled as three-dimensional solid parts, while the projectile is modeled as a cylindrical part. To model steel behavior in both the plates and the projectile, elastic–plastic material properties with strain-rate dependence, ductile damage with evolution, and shear damage are used. To model silicon carbide behavior under high-strain-rate deformation, the Johnson–Holmquist–Beissel (JHB) model is applied. The JHB model consists of three main components: A representation of the deviatoric strength of the intact and fractured material in the form of a pressure-dependent yield surface A damage model that transitions the material from the intact state to a fractured state An equation of state (EOS) for the pressure-density relation, which can include dilation (or bulking) effects as well as phase changes A dynamic explicit procedure is appropriate for this type of analysis. General contact, with consideration of internal element erosion, is defined via the input file. The initial velocity of the projectile is set to 850 m/s. After the simulation, all damage variables can be obtained and analyzed.

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Ceramic and Silicon Carbide Analysis Package in Abaqus

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About Course

Introduction to Ceramic and Silicon Carbide Analysis Using the Finite Element Method (FEM)

1. Overview

2. Characteristics of Ceramics and Silicon Carbide

3. Role of FEM in Ceramic and SiC Analysis

4. FEM Workflow for Ceramic and SiC Simulation

(1) Geometry Definition

(2) Material Properties Input

(3) Meshing

(4) Boundary and Loading Conditions

Conclusion

Course Content

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