Collisional models and scaling laws: A new interpretation of the shape of the main-belt asteroid size distribution

Numerical models of the collisional evolution of the main-belt asteroids lead to a new interpretation of the shape of the observed size distribution. Using recent hydrocode predictions of shattering and disruption criteria as starting points, we adjust the size-strength scaling relation for asteroidal strengths within our collisional model until a best least-squares fit to the observed size distribution is obtained. We show for the first time general agreement between the predictions of hydrocodes, results of numerical collisional models, and the observed size distribution of the main-belt population. (C) 1998 Academic Press.