Modeling the Interaction of Space Debris of Various Shapes with Discrete and Monolithic Screens

Within the framework of the Lagrangian approach, high-speed and hypervelocity interaction (HVI) between aluminum spherical and cylindrical particles of equal mass modeling space debris with monolithic and grid (discrete) screens is numerically investigated using the finite element method. The simulation is carried out using an author-developed 3D software complex EFES, which ensures mass conservation when fulfilling the destruction condition. The implemented destruction algorithm allows describing material fragmentation and formation of new contact boundaries without distorting the computational mesh. Evaluations have been conducted on the protective efficiency of both monolithic aluminum and discrete steel screens having identical surface density in the velocity range from 3 to 10 km/s.