Analysis of the mechanics of perforation of projectiles in metallic plates

A mathematical model has been developed to describe the mechanism of normal perforation of projectiles in metallic targets. The perforation process is considered to be divided into three interconnected stages. The analysis accounts for an effective mass of the bullet due to part of the target material moving with the bullet, the deformation of the bullet during penetration, and the increased strength of the target material at high rates of loading. The analysis enables the residual velocity to be calculated as a function of the target thickness and its mechanical and physical properties, and of the mass, geometry and impact velocity of the projectile. The geometry of the cavity, i.e. entrance and exit diameters and plug thicknesses, are factors in the analysis and are empirical quantities. The present theory can also predict the force-time curve and the contact time for the perforation process.