A hydrocode and an explicit finite element code were used to evaluate functionally graded material impacts, meteor impacts, and split Hopkinson pressure bar specimens. Modeling impacts of functionally graded projectiles revealed that density was the primary material characteristic controlling the shock wave profile. A parametric study of material order for functionally graded armor showed that arranging the weaker material in front created the greater stopping power. By modeling an array of meteor impact scenarios, deformation and stress were shown to occur at great depths and possibly cause tectonic movement, like subduction. Three proposed Hopkinson specimens, which were designed to produce either shear or tensile reactions under compressive loading, were evaluated. For two of these specimens, improved stress and strain equations were presented.