Study of Impact Cratering in Sand

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Abstract
An investigation of cratering in dry sand using 22-caliber long rifle bullets was carried out. Measurements of craters formed by bullets moving at velocities of 50 to 550 m/sec showed crater volume to vary directly with the square of the bullet velocity at the low end of this range and to approach a linear dependence on bullet velocity at the high end. An equation relating the crater volume to the bullet velocity was developed from a model which assumed hydrodynamic-like flow behind the induced shock wave and was found to provide an excellent fit to the experimental data. It was further found that for velocities below 245 m/sec bullet deformation is small and increases rather slowly with increase in velocity. At 245 m/sec, however, an abrupt transition occurs, and the deformation increases very rapidly. Above 245 m/sec the deformation appears to become constant. This transition velocity is believed to be related to the appropriate velocity of sound in sand.

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