POLOS STABILITY EFFECT OF BLOCK DENSITY AND WAIST THICKNESS

Abstract

Model tests were done with dolosse having the same shape and volume, but with different block densities, to determine the effect of block density on stability and to check whether the theoretical third-power relationship between block volume and relative block density is valid. From these tests it can be concluded that the higher the density of the block material the greater the stability becomes. Although the individual scatter is appreciable, the average results indicate that the stability of dolosse is inversely proportional to a power of about 2,3 of the relative density, which is significantly less than the theoretical power of 3. Model tests were also carried out on dolosse having the same mass and volume but with different waist-to-height ratios to determine the effect of waist-to-height ratio on the stability of a dolos armour. From the results of these tests it can be concluded that the stability of the armour decreases with increasing waist thickness, particularly for relatively high waist ratios.