Simulation of impact and fragmentation with the material point method

The simulation of high-rate deformation and failure of metals is has traditionally been performed using Lagrangian finite element methods or Eulerian hydrocodes. Lagrangian mesh-based methods are limited by issues involving mesh entanglement under large deformation and considerable complexity in handling contact. On the other hand, Eulerian hydrocodes are prone to material diffusion. In the Material Point Method (MPM), the material state is defined on solid Lagrangian particles. The particles interact with other particles in the same body, with other solid bodies, or with fluids through a background mesh. Thus, some of the problems associated with finite element codes and hydrocodes are alleviated. Another attractive feature of the material point method is the ease with which large deformation, fully coupled, fluid-structure interaction problems can be handled. In this work, we present MPM simulations that involve large plastic deformations, contact, material failure and fragmentation, and fluid-structure interaction.