LARGE PLASTIC-DEFORMATION OF SPHERICAL-SHELLS UNDER IMPACT BY BLUNT-ENDED MISSILES

A procedure is given in this paper to estimate the large plastic defor mation of spherical shells subjected to impact by blunt-ended missiles . Based on the experimental observations for the quasi-static load-dis placement characteristics, the problem of a spherical shell under impa ct by a blunt missile can be analysed through the solutions to that of an equivalent circular plate struck transversely by the same missile. It is demonstrated that the approximate theoretical predictions using this method are in good agreement with the experimental data in terms of the maximum permanent transverse displacements and the dimple radi i. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.