DEFORMATION AND PERFORATION OF CYLINDRICAL-SHELLS STRUCK NORMALLY BY BLUNT PROJECTILES

An approximate theory is proposed in this paper to predict the deforma tion and perforation of metallic cylindrical shells struck normally by blunt projectiles at velocities up to 229 m s(-1). On the basis of th e experimental observations of quasi-static load-displacement characte ristics, the problem of a cylindrical shell impacted normally by a blu nt projectile can be tackled through the solution of an equivalent cla mped circular plate struck transversely by the same projectile. It is shown that the approximate theoretical predictions are in good agreeme nt with the experimental results for cylindrical shells in terms of th e maximum permanent transverse displacements and the critical impact v elocities (ballistic limits) when material strain rate sensitivity is taken into account. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved .