Plywood Panel with UHMW Polyethylene Board Ballistic Resistance

Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering 2023
Elīna Barone, Edvīns Veļičko, Baiba Gaujēna, Mārtiņš Vilnītis

In this study, bullet-proof building panels are investigated. The aim of this work is to verify whether the polyethylene-plywood panels withstand frontal impact with high-speed projectiles. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a promising ballistic material due to its favorable properties – significant impact toughness and a high strength-to-weight ratio, meantime it is lightweight. By setting different parameters such as laminated plywood width and various UWHMPE facade layers, the protective effect of the panels and their performance characteristics are discussed using a 9 mm caliber handgun Glock 17 Luger bullets. The results show positive results – 3 of 4 combinations resist the bullet. The board with an arrangement of 2x32 cm laminated plywood outside and UHMWPE material inside the room captures 4 bullets; the bullets pass through the plywood layer and stop in the polyethylene. The experiment also tested individual UHMWPE panels at 2 different thicknesses to monitor the damage to the material. The results of this study will be useful in designing ballistic panels for buildings like unclassified buildings (army headquarters, safe rooms) from small arms weapons also for individual use.

Keywords
ballistic, composite panels, plywood, shooting range, UHMWPE
DOI
10.5755/j01.sace.32.1.32822
Hyperlink
https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.sace.32.1.32822

Barone, E., Veļičko, E., Gaujēna, B., Vilnītis, M. Plywood Panel with UHMW Polyethylene Board Ballistic Resistance. Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering, 2023, Vol. 32, No. 1, pp. 233-243. ISSN 2029-9990. e-ISSN 2335-2000. Available from: doi:10.5755/j01.sace.32.1.32822

Publication language
English (en)