Simulation of hypervelocity impacts using a contact charge

Two sets of hypervelocity impact experiments have been performed in the open using a contact charge technique and recorded using fast-framing cameras. It has been possible to record the uninterrupted ballistic trajectories of fragments from the catastrophically disrupted targets, together with their velocity and rotational properties directly after the impact, as well as their size. By performing these experiments in the open and on fairly soft ground, secondary fragmentation normally caused by impact onto the walls or floor of a test chamber has been minimised. A total of 10 experiments have been performed using targets of artificial rock which were either homogeneous, cored or carefully pre-fractured. We report here on the analysis of some of these data using a computer and special software written and developed by our group, with an indication of the results obtained.