Hydrocodes are a useful
visualization tool, because they allow us to view and measure physical
parameters that occur in just microseconds. By "slowing down" the impact in
a hydrocode simulation we can analyze the event in discreet timesteps.
Here are some interesting QuickTime movies of actual hydrocode simulations:
Oblique Particle based model
Illustrates the perforation of a thin
aluminum bumper, impacted by a cylinder, and the resulting debris cloud.
Symmetry allows for a simplification to be made: only half the model is
analyzed! This is an EXOS simulation visualized using CEI Ensight.
Perforation of a thin bumper
Illustrates the perforation of a thin
Whipple shield bumper, and the resulting debris cloud. This is an EXOS
simulation.
Crater formation
Illustrates the formation of a crater in a
thick aluminum plate by a 3 mm projectile at 7 km/s.
Highly oblique impact angle
Illustrates an impact by a projectile at an
angle of about 60° into a semi-infinite aluminum slab.
Perforation of a thin bumper
Illustrates a normal impact of a spherical
projectile into a thin Whipple shield, and the resulting debris cloud. The
model follows the debris cloud propagation through the Whipple rear wall,
and into the witness plate located behind it.
For more information about QuickTime visit the Apple web site or click the button below to download the free software for Windows PCs or Macs.