A Study on the Projectile-barrel Coupling Problem Considering the Initial Deflection Due to Gravity of Tube

In this paper, the deflection curve of a barrel's axis due to gravity is obtained by finite element method (FEM). Compared to approximation method, FEM can improve the precision. Based on plasto-elasticity and dynamic contact/impact theory, a contact/impact finite element model of rifled tube-projectile coupling system considering the initial deflection of the tube is established by use of mapped hexahedral elements and morphing technique. The band of the projectile is simulated with bilinear elastoplastic material model, together with the consideration of elastic and plastic deformation. Muzzle disturbance and projectile motion in bore are computed applying parallel arithmetic on SGI. The numerical results show that the initial bending deformation of the tube exacerbates vertical vibration and horizontal vibration of the projectile.