Reply #13: Of course physics applies to this scenario...

[AZCat]

Why wouldn't it? :shrug:

This is an area with which I am not unfamiliar. I do not think you understand the differences between the two cases: a X ton projectile impacting a homogeneous concrete wall and a thin-walled shell (like an aircraft) impacting a non-homogeneous wall. This question has been asked a number of times (both here and in the engineering community) and there have been a number of tests to verify the algorithms that are used to model such impacts. It is certain that complex impacts cannot be modelled by an analytical equation such as you are proposing, but must be modelled using numerical methods. If you are interested in learning about those methods (and the algorithms used to model complex impacts) there is an amazing wealth of information on the internet, but unfortunately there are few freeware programs available. I posted some links on another thread where Old and In The Way asked a similar question but most of the info/tutorials are for the popular programs such as ProEngineer, MS-DyTran, ANSYS, etc.