Numerical Study on the Axial Initial Velocity Distribution Characteristics of Preformed Fragment

Abstract

Initial velocity of fragments is one of the key parameters to evaluate the lethal performance of high explosive projectile. Based on the modification of Gurney equation, axial initial velocity distribution characteristics of preformed fragments warhead under three different detonation modes, including center detonation, single-ended detonation and double-ended detonation, were studied by numerical simulation and least square nonlinear fitting method. The calculating formulas for axial initial velocity of fragments were fitted. Furthermore, the fitting formulas were verified by changing the mass of explosive and the shape of fragments. Finally, the computation accuracy of the fitting formulas and the existing formulas were compared. Simulation and comparison results showed that initial velocity of fragments calculated by the fitting formulas was closer to the simulation results than that of the existing formulas and the error of the fitting formulas were below 10%. It clearly demonstrated that the fitting formulas are suitable for predicting the initial velocity of preformed fragments.