Zuievska N., Sakhno І., Darmostuk D., Berezdetskyi V., Zuievskyi Yu. Applied numerical modeling of ballistic missile–soil interaction using ANSYS explicit dynamics

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Parent Category: Geo-Technical Mechanics, 2024
Category: Geo-Technical Mechanics, 2024, Issue 171

Geoteh. meh. 2024, 171, 190-201

https://doi.org/10.15407/geotm2024.171.190

 

APPLIED NUMERICAL MODELING OF BALLISTIC MISSILE–SOIL INTERACTION USING ANSYS EXPLICIT DYNAMICS

1Zuievska N. 

 2Sakhno I. 

 3Darmostuk D. 

 1Berezdetskyi V. 

 1Zuievskyi Yu. 

1National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”
2Technical University “Metinvest Polytechnic” LLC
3Institute for Personnel Training of the State Employment Service

UDC 622.083+721.011

Language: English

Abstract. The aim of this study is to enhance the geomechanical approach to analyzing the effects of dynamic loads on soil masses by improving a numerical model of the interaction between a ballistic missile and the soil medium. This model takes into account delayed detonation effects and is developed using the simulation environment ANSYS Explicit Dynamics. This advanced software tool is specifically designed to analyze high-speed dynamic phenomena, including shock wave propagation, large material deformations, and structural failure—all of which are typical for scenarios involving explosive loading, such as missile strikes.

The study focuses on evaluating the destructive effects of modern short-range ballistic missiles, particularly the Russian "Iskander" and the North Korean KN-23, on near-surface soil layers and critical underground infrastructure. A key objective is to examine crater formation, the depth and radius of soil displacement, and the degree of structural damage caused by both surface and subsurface explosions. Particular emphasis is placed on scenarios involving missile penetration into the soil followed by delayed detonation.

Model validation was carried out by comparing the numerical simulation results with real-world data collected from missile impacts in the Kyiv region, especially in Bucha, where a crater exceeding 10 meters in diameter and 8 meters in depth was documented after a missile strike. Such empirical data serve as a reference for verifying the adequacy of the model.

A hybrid Eulerian–Lagrangian computational mesh was employed to achieve more accurate simulation results: the soil body was represented using the Lagrangian formulation, while the missile body and explosive detonation products were treated within the Eulerian framework. The numerical model simulates the missile's penetration into the soil followed by a delayed detonation after 10-5 seconds. The missile parameters were set as follows: initial velocity of 800 m/s, total mass of 1500 kg, and an explosive payload equivalent to 500 kg of TNT.

To avoid artificial reflections of shock waves at the model boundaries, impedance-based boundary conditions were applied. This method ensures appropriate wave absorption and simulates the behavior of an infinite medium surrounding the modeled domain. The output of the simulations includes detailed data on crater morphology, material fragmentation and ejection, stress wave propagation, and pressure distribution in the soil mass.

The practical significance of the research lies in its contribution to assessing the resilience of underground civil and military facilities under realistic missile threat scenarios. The developed modeling approach offers valuable insight for designing protective structures, evaluating existing infrastructure vulnerabilities, and developing emergency response strategies for critical facilities exposed to extreme dynamic loads caused by modern ballistic weaponry.

Keywords: explosive, soils, detonation, dynamic loading.

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About the authors:

Zuievska Natalia, Doctor of Technical Sciences (D.Sc), Professor, Head of the Department of Geoengineering, National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, Kyiv, Ukraine, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Corresponding author), ORCID 0000-0002-1716-1447

Sakhno Ivan, Doctor of Technical Sciences (D.Sc), Professor, Head of the Department of Mining, Technical University “Metinvest Polytechnic” LLC, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Ivan.Sakhno@mipolytech.education, ORCID 0000-0002-8592-0572

Darmostuk Denys, Doctoral Student, Institute for Personnel Training of the State Employment Service, Kyiv, Ukraine, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID 0009-0002-3714-9821

Berezdetskyi Vadym, Doctoral Student, Department of Geoengineering, National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, Kyiv, Ukraine, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID 0009-0004-1007-975X

Zuievskyi Yurii, Doctoral Student, Department of Geoengineering, National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, Kyiv, Ukraine, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID 0009-0006-4736-3150