A spherical cavity expansion model for penetration of ogival-nosed projectiles into concrete targets with shear-dilatancy

A dynamic spherical cavity-expansion penetration model is suggested herein to predict the penetration and perforation of concrete targets struck normally by ogivalnosed projectiles. Shear dilatancy as well as compressibility of the material in comminuted region are considered in the paper by introducing a dilatant-kinematic relation. A procedure is first presented to compute the radial stress at the cavity surface and then a numerical method is used to calculate the results of penetration and perforation with friction being taken into account. The influences of various target parameters such as shear strength, bulk modulus, density, Poisson’s ratio and tensile strength on the depth of penetration are delineated. It is shown that the model predictions are in good agreement with available experimental data. It is also shown that the shear strength plays a dominant role in the target resistance to penetration.