Plastic Deformation of High Explosive Projectile 155 mm during Gun Launch Conditions using Finite Element Method

Abstract

The structural integrity of artillery projectile 155mm high explosive Extended Range Full Bore (ERFB)
boat tail designed for 155mm howitzer guns of 39, 45 and 52 calibre plays a key role inside the gun barrel. This
projectile comprises a shell body, a driving band, a boat tail, nubs, an explosive, and a fuze. Plastic deformation
of the projectile and stripping of driving band are not permitted, when projectile is fired. An investigational study is necessitated to check the plastic deformation of the projectile subjected to maximum propellant charge pressure.
The aim of this study is to check the effective plastic deformation and affirm the structural integrity. A 3-D explicit dynamic structural analysis of 155 mm HE ERFB BT during gun launch conditions is carried out by finite element method using FE code ABAQUS/Explicit. To understand the non-linear mechanical behavior of the projectile, the true stress-strain curves of the materials are considered. The plastic behavior of the projectile subjected to the time-dependent loading is studied by using the von Mises plasticity model. The results reveal that the shell body and boat tail have no plastic deformation and the most stressed component is the driving band. The investigation has affirmed the structural integrity of the projectile during gun launch conditions.