Towards predictive modelling for concrete

Simulations are becoming an increasingly important part of the weapon design cycle allowing the investigation of more parameters in warhead concepts. This relies on a thorough verification and validation process for the simulation tools, which enables a cost effective approach to down-selecting concepts for full-scale experiments. A key factor in this process applied to the design of warheads to defeat hard (structural) targets is the development of truly physically based material models for geological materials where constants are either derived or measured. The paper describes this general approach and highlights aspects of its initial application to kinetic energy (KE) penetration and suggests areas for future investigation.