Deformation and perforation of cylindrical shells struck normally by blunt projectiles

An approximate theory is proposed in this paper to predict the deformation and perforation of metallic cylindrical shells struck normally by blunt projectiles at velocities up to 229 m s^-1. On the basis of the experimental observations of quasi-static load-displacement characteristics, the problem of a cylindrical shell impacted normally by a blunt projectile can be tackled through the solution of an equivalent clamped circular plate struck transversely by the same projectile. It is shown that the approximate theoretical predictions are in good agreement with the experimental results for cylindrical shells in terms of the maximum permanent transverse displacements and the critical impact velocities (ballistic limits) when material strain rate sensitivity is taken into account.