A similarity method for predicting the residual velocity and deceleration of projectiles during impact with dissimilar materials

A method for predicting the residual velocity and deceleration of a projectile during normal low-velocity impact on a 2024-O thin aluminium plate is developed based on the similarity theory. Geometric scaling, the dissimilar materials of the projectile and different target thicknesses are considered. By a similitude analysis, the simulation criteria between the modelling and prototype experiments are obtained. The dimensionless velocity and deceleration of a projectile can be predicted by the relationship equations with the dimensionless dynamic pressure, projectile density and target thickness. On the basis of experimental data, the dimensionless residual velocity relationship is obtained and verified. In the range of normalised target thicknesses of 0. 5 ≤ H / D p ≤ 1 (where H is target thickness and D p is projectile diameter), the deceleration-time data during penetration is simplified as a triangular wave. Moreover, it can be characterised using the maximum deceleration, the time to the maximum deceleration and the period of the triangular wave. Through a simulation analysis, three dimensionless deceleration characteristics of the projectile are developed to replicate a prototype-like deceleration-time process in a scaled model.