The Normal Impact of square Section long rods on ‘Rigid’ and ‘Soft’ Targets

Abstract

Studies of long rod impact are almost invariably associated with rods of circular cross-section, but in this paper experiments are described in which square cross-section long rods were made to impinge normally on nominally rigid target plates as well as on ‘soft’ targets of comparable strength. Plasticine has been used as the model material to simulate metallic projectiles and targets. The various modes of deformation and flow associated with square section rod projectiles have been identified and compared with those observed earlier by Johnson et al. (5)¶ in a study using long rods of circular cross-section.