In order to investigate the tearing characteristics of ship plates after fracture subjected to impact loads, model tests and numerical simulations were performed where scaled ship plates were statically punched by an indenter with a variable cross-section. Experimental results for the large deformation, initial fracture and tearing processes and resistance-penetration curves of the specimens were recorded. In addition, a numerical simulation method for simulating the initial fracture and tearing failure of plates was proposed according to the c...