Characterization of the non-ideal debris cloud in yaw hypervelocity impact by cylindrical projectile

This work revisits the classical hypervelocity impact problem of a cylindrical projectile impinging upon a thin plate at an attack angle. A methodology is described to identify the potentially dangerous fragments that can perforate the rear plate in a Whipple shield configuration. The attack angle is re-calculated based on the reported orthogonal view angles, followed by numerical modeling of the hypervelocity impact event using the SPH method in AUTODYN-3D, and the qualitative and quantitative post-processing of the debris cloud generated from the hypervelocity impact. The model predictions are compared to results from the experimental data from the literature for two different attack angles – they will be shown to be in good agreement. The concentrated area of dangerous fragments in the debris cloud is quantified in detail, and its damage mechanism to the rear plate is revealed. The majority of the projectile fragments are located inside the inner cone and the cross-wing of the debris cloud, where the latter bridge connecting the inner cone and the outer bubble, and they are defined according to their geometry shapes being as the components of the debris cloud. The accumulative effect of the two structures are shown to attribute to the potential damage in the rear plate. This work aims to help Whipple shield designers seeking a theoretical method to estimate the threat of yaw hypervelocity impact.