This book focuses on the impact dynamics and cratering of soft matter to describe its importance, difficulty, and wide applicability to planetary-related problems. A comprehensive introduction to the dimensional analysis and constitutive laws that are necessary to discuss impact mechanics and cratering is first provided. Then, particular coverage is given to the impact of granular matter, which is one of the most crucial constituents for geophysics. While granular matter shows both solid-like and fluid-like behaviors, neither solid nor fluid dynamics is sufficient to fully understand the physics of granular matter. In order to reveal its fundamental properties, extensive impact tests have been carried out recently. The author reveals the findings of these recent studies as well as what remains unsolved in terms of impact dynamics. Impact crater morphology with various soft matter impacts also is discussed intensively. Various experimental and observational results up to the recent Itokawa asteroid’s terrain and nanocrater are reviewed and explained mainly by dimensional analysis. The author discusses perspectives of the relation between soft matter physics and planetary science, because it is an important step towards unifying physics and planetary science, in both of which fields crater morphology has been studied independently.

Physics of Shock and Impact is a two volume set of work that looks at the shock physics of solids and covers physical, material, mechanical and thermodynamic fundamentals. Volume 1, provides an introduction to the fundamentals of shockwave physics and progresses to the modes of shock failure through spall, fragmentation and shear localization.

This second edition of Impact Mechanics offers new analytical methods with examples for the dynamics of low-speed impact.

Carefully organized, skillfully written text examines stereomechanical impact; vibrational aspects of impact; contact phenomena produced by the impact of elastic bodies; dynamic processes involving plastic strains; results of impact experiments and dynamic properties of materials. Well-illustrated treatment presumes some knowledge of partial differential equations, operational calculus, and elasticity. 284 illustrations.

This bibliography consists of a rather complete collection of references and abstracts on the subjects of: (1) plastic wave propagation in bounded solids; (2) behavior of metals under explosive conditions; (3) dynamic photoelasticity; (4) penetration phenomena. Other topics covered in less detail are: (5) behavior of material at high strain rates; (6) lateral impact; and (7) impact measurement devices. General references at the beginning of the bibliography cite articles or books which cover the field of impact. An author index and a chronological listing of articles within a particular topic are included.