EXPERIMENTAL AND COMPUTATIONAL ANALYSIS OF UHMWPE-BASED MULTI-LAYERED BULLETPROOF VESTS UNDER 9MM PROJECTILES IMPACT

Abstract

This study investigates the ballistic performance and energy absorption of multi-layered UHMWPE bulletproof vests against 9mm projectiles using experiments and finite element simulations (LS-DYNA). Two configurations were analyzed: a conventional structure and a sandwich-layered design incorporating UHMWPE, titanium (Ti6Al4V), and PVC. Ballistic tests, conducted per NIJ Level IIIA standards, were validated through simulations. The sandwich-layered vest exhibited superior energy dissipation, achieving BFS values of 12.03 mm (experiment) and 12.36 mm (simulation), effectively reducing blunt trauma risk. The multi-material approach enhanced penetration resistance and impact force distribution, while numerical models closely matched experimental findings, confirming reliability. Results demonstrate the feasibility of lightweight, high-performance ballistic armor. Future work will explore material optimization, configuration refinements, and testing with higher-caliber projectiles for broader applications.