An evaluation of the PENCURV model for penetration events in complex targets.

Three complex target penetration scenarios are run with a model developed by the U. S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, called PENCURV. The results are compared with both test data and a Zapotec model to evaluate PENCURV's suitability for conducting broad-based scoping studies on a variety of targets to give first order solutions to the problem of G-loading. Under many circumstances, the simpler, empirically based PENCURV model compares well with test data and the much more sophisticated Zapotec model. The results suggest that, if PENCURV were enhanced to include rotational acceleration in its G-loading computations, it would provide much more accurate solutions for a wide variety of penetration problems. Data from an improved PENCURV program would allow for faster, lower cost optimization of targets, test parameters and penetration bodies as Sandia National Laboratories continues in its evaluation of the survivability requirements for earth penetrating sensors and weapons