Numerical and experimental study of the impact of small caliber projectiles on ballistic soap

In previous studies [1, 2], an elastoplastic model for soap material has been considered to characterize the soap behavior under impacts of spherical bullets. The characterization and validation of this model were made via the deceleration of a bullet into the soap material. In order to take into account the strain hardening and strain rate effects, an investigation of an elastoviscoplastic model is made. For model characterization purposes, experimental data were obtained from the viscoelastic Hopkinson pressure bar. The model parameters were determined through an optimization process and validation of the model was done by using a series of firing tests from previous experiments where spherical bullets were fired into soap blocks [1, 2].