Computation of nondeformable striker penetration into low-strength obstacles using piezoelectric accelerometry data

Computational and experimental techniques to determine the dynamics of nondeformable or slightly deformable striker penetration into soil obstacles are presented. One of the computational procedures is based on using empirical relationships for finding mechanical stresses on the striker-obstacle contact surface; the other, on the numerical simulation of penetration in terms of the 2D axisymmetric problem of continuum mechanics. In experiments, the striker dynamics is analyzed with piezoelectric accelerometry data. These procedures are applied to study the penetration of a striker into plastilina, which is used to model low-strength media like clay ground. From experimental data, parameters are obtained that characterize the physicomechanical properties of a plastilina target and are used in the computational techniques. Verification of the computational techniques is made.