Depth of penetration of high-speed penetrator with including the effect of mass abrasion

An investigation on mass loss of ogival projectiles penetrating concrete targets

Earth penetration weapon (EPW) is applicable for attacking underground targets protected by reinforced concrete and rocks. With increasing impact velocity, the mass loss/abrasion of penetrator increases, which significantly decreases the penetration efficiency due to the change of nose shape. The abrasion may induce instability of the penetrator, and lead to failure of its structure. A common disadvantage, i.e. dependence on corresponding experimental results, exists in all the available formulae, which limits their ranges of application in estimating the mass loss of penetrator. In this paper, we conduct a parametric study on the mass loss of penetrator, and indicate that the mass loss of penetrator can be determined by seven variables, i.e., the initial impact velocity, initial nose shape, melting heat, shank diameter of projectile and density and strength of target as well as the aggregate hardness of target. Further discussion on factors dominant in the mass abrasion of penetrator are given, which may be helpful for optimizing the target or the projectile for defensive or offensive objectives, respectively.

Parametric study on mass loss of penetrators

Experimental and theoretical study on steel long-rod projectile penetration into concrete targets with elevated impact velocities

Analysis of resistance of concrete target against penetration of eroding long rod projectile regarding flow field around the projectile tip

An engineering model on mass abrasion of kinetic energy penetrator is presented to predict the nose shape and mass loss of the residual projectile after high-speed penetration into concrete. The experimental analysis indicates that the kinetic energy of penetrator (i.e., mass and velocity of projectile) and the hardness of aggregate of concrete significantly affect the mass abrasion of projectile. A theoretical upper limit exists for the mass loss. More general relationship between mass loss and impact function I of projectile is constructed. Graphical discussion declares that the most mass loss occurs on the nose of the projectile and the eroding nose approaches to an ogival shape with a smaller value of caliber-radius-head (CRH). A relative rate of mass abrasion on ogive-nose is further defined and analyzed. The mass loss from abrasion on kinetic energy (KE) penetrator may be evaluated through the variation of nose shape.

S.Q. Yang

Papers

Modeling on mass abrasion of kinetic energy penetrator