Experimental and numerical investigation on the perforation resistance of double-layered metal shields under high-velocity impact of soft-core projectiles

•Simulation of ballistic impact of soft-core projectile against steel plates.•The SPH method was used for the discretization of the projectile.•High-strength steel plates of different thicknesses.•Study of different configurations of double-layer target.•Simulation of the extreme deformation occurring in the projectile.