Theoretical modeling of steel spheres penetrating gelatin targets

DOI:	10.11809/bqzbgcxb2023.09.032
Keywords:	penetration; spherical penetrator; gelatin target; temporary; theoretical modeling
Abstract:	In order to study the penetration and trauma effects of penetrators to biological tissue simulant targets, the experiments of steel spheres with different diameters penetrating gelatin targets are analyzed. The variations of penetration depth of the penetrator and the temporary cavity profile in the target are recorded by high speed camera. The motion of the penetrator and the temporary cavity expansion process in the target are modeled. By analyzing the energy conversion and conservation relationship in the penetration process, and combining with the cylindrical cavity expansion theory, the expressions of kinetic energy and deformation energy in the target medium are derived. And then, the penetration resistance equation of the penetrator and the motion equation along the direction perpendicular to the trajectory are obtained. The two equations share the parameters in the energy conservation relationship. Thus, the penetration resistance modeland the temporary cavity motion model are closely interconnected. According to the penetration experimental results, the parameters in the model are fitted and analyzed. The comparisons between the calculated results of the theoretical model and the experimental results show that: when the diameter of the steel sphere is 3 6 mm and the initial penetration velocity is 500 900 m/s, the model proposed in this paper can accurately predict the key physical laws in the process of spherical penetrators penetrating gelatin target, including the penetration depth of projectile and the profile change of the temporary cavity. The proposed model can provide a basis for understanding the interaction of small arms ammunition and soft tissues.
Published:	2023-09-28
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