Study on dynamic response of composite ballistic plates under high-speed impact and evolution mechanism of ceramic cracks based on peridynamics

Against the backdrop of increasing global military conflicts, enhancing the performance of individual soldier protective equipment is of paramount importance. This study aims to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamic response and failure mechanisms of ceramic composite ballistic plates under high-velocity bullet impacts. By combining ballistic experiments with numerical simulations, this article systematically investigates the dynamic response and damage mechanisms of SiC/UHMWPE composite ballistic plates subjected to high-velocity impacts from 7.62 × 54R mm armor-piercing incendiary rounds. A mirror-assisted 3D-DIC system was used to record full-field rear-surface deformation histories, from which the distinct stages of bulge evolution were quantitatively characterized. Independent validation was provided by high-speed oblique photography. For numerical simulation, the Johnson–Holmquist-2 constitutive model and the Peridynamics constitutive model were respectively applied to model the ceramic layer, enabling a systematic comparison of their performance in simulating ceramic damage behavior under high-speed impact. The study revealed the dynamic processes of stress wave propagation, crack initiation, and propagation within the ceramic following bullet impact. It clarified the formation mechanism of ceramic cones and radial cracks under the coupled action of compression waves and reflected tensile waves. This work provides crucial theoretical and experimental foundations for deepening the understanding of failure mechanisms in ceramic composite armor under impact loads and optimizing armor structural design.