Analysis of Muzzle End Behaviour of Tank Gun Barrel with Sand Ingress During Ammunition Firing

Abstract

The current work presents a detailed study of 125mm tank gun smooth bore barrel behavior during sand ingress while firing with HEF (High Explosive Fragmentation) projectile. Large number of failures and defects at muzzle end region of 125 mm smooth bore tank gun barrels was observed, especially in field firing ranges. The obstruction due to sand deposits lead to high velocity impact between the sand and barrel, which causes large barrel bore radial deformation and results in material failure. To understand this effect of sand deposit, field trials are conducted. Further, a series of 3D numerical computer simulation and analysis using ANSYS - Autodyn software are done. The field trials and analysis clearly demonstrates that, presence of sand obstruction beyond threshold quantity leads to permanent deformation of barrel bore into elliptical shape or breakage of barrel.