To investigate the dynamic tensile mechanical properties of red sandstone under varying impact pulse widths and amplitudes, we employed the response surface methodology to examine the dynamic response characteristics of sandstone under different bullet lengths and impact velocities. Subsequently, a dynamic damage constitutive model for sandstone was developed. Macroscopic and microscopic features of sandstone were analyzed through digital image correlation (DIC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) experiments. Additionally, ANSYS software was utilized to analyze stress wave characteristics under controlled shock waves and the impact of geological factors on rock fracturing effects. The findings revealed the following. First, the length and impact velocity of bullets exhibit an interactive effect on the tensile response characteristics of sandstone. Peak load, energy consumption rate, and energy density display a positive correlation with bullet velocity. Second, according to the DIC results, the fractal dimension of the crack is negatively correlated with the length of the bullet during equal energy impacts. Third, microscopic failure modes included fractures along particle cementation and through particles, with section roughness decreasing as bullet length increased under equivalent energy impacts. Fourth, a dynamic damage constitutive model (R2 >= 0.84) was established based on the Zhu-Wang-Tang (Z-W-T) model and Drucker-Prager (D-P) criterion, clarifying model parameters and influence rules. Fifth, under controlled shock waves, the pulse width facilitates crack propagation, while the pulse amplitude initiates crack formation. Optimal rock breaking efficiency is achieved when stress waves exhibit a large pulse width and low radiation values, meeting specific threshold conditions.
