Deep penetration analysis with dynamic cylindrical cavitation fields

Dynamic cylindrical cavitation fields are studied for a family of plastic orthotropic solids with arbitrary strain hardening response. Analysis is within the framework of plane-strain, steady state flow theory of associated plasticity. New formulae for cavitation pressure are validated against accurate numerical analysis and contact is made with existing studies. A uniform procedure is presented for estimating penetration depth of rigid axisymmetric projectiles at normal impact. Comparison with available experimental data reveals a very good agreement for both spherical and cylindrical dynamic cavitation models. Quasi-static cavitation pressure formulae can predict penetration depth with an appropriate scaling of the yield stress. The scaling factors appear to be independent of material properties but reflect the shape of head profile. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.