This thesis reports work carried out following the 1989 and 1992 research programmes of the hypervelocity studies group of the University of Sussex in collaboration with the Astronomical Observatory of Turin, the Mathematical and Astronomy departments at the University of Pisa and the Istituto di Astrofisica Spaziale of the CNR, Rome, Italy. It deals, on the one hand, with different sets of experiments which follows the evolution of the scientific ideas (use of homogeneous artificial rock targets, cored targets and pre-fractured targets) and, on the other hand, with the development and refinement of the computerised analysis techniques which are applicable to the results of these successive experimental programmes. A secondary but important role of this thesis is to provide a documented description of each computer program developed for the projects.

In general the main text contains only algorithmic descriptions of software, while the complete program listings - which are well commented and use symbolic variable and procedure names wherever possible - are included within the appendices. Distinction has been made, where possible, between the development of the software and the use of that software to obtain new results. It is worth emphasizing the great value of the approach used here, namely software development and its use by the same research group - a group consisting of members very well suited to the combined task.