Hypervelocity impact calculations using CTH: Case studies☆

Abstract In this paper, we discuss the use of the CTH shock wave physics code in the calculation of hypervelocity impact phenomena. We emphasize unusual features of the code that aid in understanding the sensitivity of hypervelocity impact calculations to the numerical methodology. A canonical type of impact problem in which a debris cloud is generated and stagnates against a secondary structure is analyzed. We then provide examples of the contributions of advection, interface tracking, and equation of state (EOS) algorithms to CTH simulations of this type of impact, and comment on grid resolution issues. A general conclusion is that while grid resolution is the dominant source of error in the impact simulations, issues related to advection, interface tracking, and EOS are of comparable importance. We also present examples of the application of CTH to 3-D impact problems, illustrating the potential of 3-D computation, and the severe demands it places on current generation computing hardware.