Analytical models for the penetration of semi-infinite targets by rigid, deformable and erosive long rods

A theoretical study is presented herein on the penetration of a semi-infinite target by a spherical-headed long rod for Y _p > S, where Y _p is the penetrator strength and S is the static target resistance. For Y _p > S, depending upon initial impact velocity, there exist three types of penetration, namely, penetration by a rigid long rod, penetration by a deforming non-erosive long rod and penetration by an erosive long rod. If the impact velocity of the penetrator is higher than the hydrodynamic velocity (V _H), it will penetrate the target in an erosive mode; if the impact velocity lies between the hydrodynamic velocity (V _H) and the rigid body velocity (V _R), it will penetrate the target in a deformable mode; if the impact velocity is less than the rigid body velocity (V _R), it will penetrate the target in a rigid mode. The critical conditions for the transition among these three penetration modes are proposed. It is demonstrated that the present model predictions correlate well with the experimental observations in terms of depth of penetration (DOP) and the critical transition conditions.