Modeling of Hypervelocity Impact Experiments Using Gamma-SPH Technique
Hypervelocity impact research has been conducted using light gas guns to characterize materials under shock conditions. Hypervelocity impact produces high pressure and temperature states during the projectile-target interaction. Projectile and target materials both experience severe localized deformation under these conditions, which creates stretching, bending, and complete perforation in thin target plates. Relatively thick target plates show several failure modes, such as spalling, petalling, discing, and plugging. These failure modes are mostly controlled by several factors such as impact velocity, material properties, loading geometry, etc. Gas gun experiments were performed to measure the plastic deformation of steel plates during hypervelocity impact. The MPDV system was used to measure free surface velocity during these experiments. Simulation models developed in the IMPETUS AFEA Gamma SPH solver show that the physical measurements of impact cratering and bulge are in reasonable agreement with simulation results. Velocity profiles are in general agreement with the experiments capturing all the major features observed experimentally.