MODELING GEOMETRICAL AND DIMENSIONAL ASPECTS OF BALLISTIC PENETRATIONOF THICK METAL TARGETS

A simple one-dimensional model is used to examine geometrical and scal e effects in the penetration of thick metal targets by projectiles. Th e model is used in two forms, one assuming the penetrator deforms by m ushrooming and the other assuming it is eroded. The mushrooming versio n gives good predictions of depth of penetration at low velocities whe re the erosion version overestimates depth of penetration, but al typi cal ballistic impact velocities the models bound the experimental data from below (mushrooming) and above (erosion). Both versions of the mo del give good predictions of depth of penetration for low length to di ameter (L/D) ratio penetrators at all velocities. The model solutions match experiment in simulating the effect of penetrator L/D ratio and scale and this is attributed to the inclusion of radial inertia and sh ear effects which are not considered in modified hydrodynamic models o f penetration. Differences between penetrator materials based on penet rator strength are also evident in the model computations.