MISSILE IMPACT ON SEMI-INFINITE METALLIC BARRIERS

Abstract

Impact engineering has thrown up many a challenges especially in the light of over dependence upon nuclear energy and military hardware. The knowledge, therefore, of various aspects of penetration and perforation behaviour of targets and projectiles assumes importance. Once impact occurs instantaneous shock waves are transmitted into the projectile and target resulting in deformation of both. Penetration of metal targets by projectiles is influenced by various material parameters e.g. yield and ultimate stresses, density, impact velocity, projectile shape and target size etc. Various deformation mechanisms occur both in target and projectile upon impact. These have been analyzed by a number of scientists by classical as well as finite element methods, but the results provided by these theories vary considerably. Impact on semi-infinite metallic barriers have been analyzed by three such theories which includes two classical and third being a finite element approach using triangular elements for spherical and square-ended projectiles and by developing computer programs for each of these with the objective of finding out the one most suitable for impact on such like barriers. Also a finite element program has been developed which can be used to determine the depth of penetration for a variety of projectiles and semi-infinite metallic targets.