DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF THE MODIFICATION TO 122 MM

HOWITZER BARREL LENGTH IN ORDER TO INCREASE RANGE AND

MUZZLE VELOCITY
Edmeachew Ayal
Department of armament engineering
Defense University College Of Engineering, Bishoftu ,Ethiopia
E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Basically, there is a great tube has 36 progressive twists of rifling grooves.
fundamental requirement of high The rifling grooves run from the left upward and
performance weapon development. This then to the right, if viewed from the breech end.
fundamental requirement comes from the The width and depth of rifling grooves are 6.6mm
desire of good combat value over the required and 1mm respectively and the width of rifling
target. Therefore; one of the main criterion to land being 4mm [1].The barrel length of 122mm
improve the performance of the weapon is to howitzer is 4.27m and its mass is 1050kg [1] .The
increase the muzzle velocity and range of fire chamber has smooth surface and compatible with
of the projectile .The objective of this paper by the rifled bore through the tapered bore against
increase the barrel length of 122mm howitzer with the projectile rotating band thrust during the
to improve muzzle velocity and range of fire loading operation therefore the barrel or gun tube
up to the better performance of 130mm gun i.e is a high pressure vessel in which the chemical
muzzle velocity and range of fire. The analysis energy of the propellant converted to kinetic
performed based on the governing equation energy of the projectile safely and consistently
under the consideration of increase the barrel [2]. The barrel commonly divided in to four
length of 122mm howitzer and the work done regions [3], such that:
which is performed inside the gun barrel. It is
aimed to understand the stress analysis  the rear opening or breech
evaluated by comparison of the original gun  the chamber i.e. smooth portion
barrel with the modified one to confirm the of interior of the barrel towards
barrel is withstand that propellant gas work breech end
done .Based on the analysis of ballistic  the elongated portion or
efficiency, piezometric efficiency, propellant guidance section i.e. bore
gas pressure and the work done which is  the forward opening or muzzle
performed on the existing ammunition of
122mm howitzer the muzzle velocity and
range of fire is increased up to the required
point due to the increment of the original
barrel length.
Key words: barrel length, propellant gas
pressure, work done, efficiency, muzzle velocity
Fig 1: Howitzer gun barrel [5]
and range of fire.
The Components of gun barrel can be categorized
1. Introduction: on to the following [2]
The barrel of 122mm howitzer is designed to
 Chamber body
direct the projectile with a certain flight muzzle
 Shoulder
velocity and impart required spin to the projectile  Centering cylinder
thus making its steady in flight [1]. The tube has
 Forcing cone
rifled bore and chamber, the rifling bore of the

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 Fig 2: component of gun barrel [5]
Fig 3: Groove structure of the barrel [11]
Length of bore is the rifling section of the gun
barrel .In this paper when increase the barrel 2. Methodology and material of gun barrel
length extend or increase the rifling section of the  Conduct detail survey published
gun barrel without changing the other section of literature on to the barrel of howitzer
the barrel. In order to increase the muzzle
 Study and understand the relationship of
velocity; there are three ways such as by increase
pressure versus shot travel, and velocity
the length of the barrel ,by increase the amount of
propellant charge, and by improve the ballistic versus shot travel (bore length)
performance[2].when increase muzzle velocity  Mathematical formulation of the
the available energy must be increased and also pressure on which developed on the base
the longer barrel will increase effective range of of the projectile and mean pressure
fire [8]. When the barrel length increased it will through the gun barrel
produce higher muzzle velocity of the projectile  Develop relevant mathematical formula
because the longer barrel gives the burning gun using projectile base pressure with the
powder more time to accelerate the projectile to projectile velocity through the barrel
higher velocity[2]. This involves using a larger length
charge of hotter propellant with lower values of  Using projectile base pressure, iteration
ballistic parameter. The larger the charge at the barrel length of 122mm howitzer
optimum density of loading requires a larger
until we obtain the required muzzle
chamber if expansion ratio is to be near optimum
velocity; therefore at the maximum
a lager tube volume is required for the gun. The
ballistic performance of the projectile with low muzzle velocity is provide the modified
sectional density (large diameter) inside the gun barrel length.
tube and high sectional density (smaller diameter)  Demonstration the graphical relationship
out the muzzle of the weapon, since low sectional between barrel length and muzzle
density is desirable for internal ballistic point of velocity
view where as large sectional density is desirable  The material of gun barrel during the
for external ballistic point of view[4]. When bore early century where cast from iron or
length increased additional work done on bronze, for low muzzle velocities at that
moving the projectile, then muzzle velocity will time the metals sufficed, even though
become higher [10], [7] .Therefore; currently in accordance with high muzzle
 maximum pressure is not changed velocities gun barrel are always made of
 Muzzle velocity is increased
steel, the carbon component being
 All burnet point is not change
between 0.2 and 0.5 percent[2]. Nickel,
chromium, molybdum and silicon are
added to enhance durability and rigidity
plus to that sulphur and phosphorous are
added to avoid corrosion [2].
3. Governing equation
3.1. Work done and efficiency

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  The mass of the barrel can be computed 3.2. Pressure distribution on gun tube: In order
using the following equation to determine the time dependent motion of the
projectile require make some assumption about
mb = ρlπ(ro2 − ri2 (1) the behaviors of gas pushing it of the gun. This
assumption will involve the pressure, mass and
Which is used to estimate the mass of modified
density distribution of gas [6].
barrel length. The most useful part of the pressure
travel-velocity curve is that the area underneath it
is the amount of work done on the projectile by
the propellant gas [11].
1
W = me vp2 (2)
2
wc
(1 + θ)wp +
𝑎𝑛𝑑 me = 3
Fig 4: Pressure –distance relationship in typical
g
gun firing [6]
The goal of a gun design is to maximize the area
under the pressure-travel-velocity curve without
exceeding the strength of material in the gun  The mean pressure can be calculated,
system. The pressure – travel-velocity curve of mc
p = ps (1 + 3mp) (6)
the gun system is most dependent on the gun
geometry, propellant, burn rate and grain
geometry [4]. There are two common parameters  The projectile base as well as breech
used in ballistics analysis to evaluate the merit of
a gun design. One is called the Piezometric pressure can be evaluated by using the
efficiency (ℯ𝑝 ) and the other is called the ballistic equation
efficiency (ℯ𝑏 ). The piezometer efficiency is
found by dividing the mean pressure by the PB ̅
p
 ps = mc = mc (7)
maximum breech pressure. The mean pressure is (1+
2mp
) (1+
3mp
)
the pressure exerted upon the projectile over the
length of the bore that will produce the muzzle
velocity of the projectile. In artillery guns the 2. The relationship of barrel length with
mean pressure ratio is found; 0.4≤ 𝜂𝑝 ≤ 0.6 [7]. projectile velocity: From newton’s second
law
1
m ∗v2 d²x md²x
2 p p ∑ F = ma here a = , ∑F =
ℯp = (3) dt² dt²
pmax ∗ Ab ∗ Lb
Ballistic efficiency is the ratio between the When we apply on to Gun system F = P ∗ A and
kinetic energy of the projectile at the muzzle of md²x d2 x dv
the weapon and the chemical energy stored F= dt²
since dt2 = dt
, therfore
within the propellant [4].
dv dx dx dv dv
1 .
dt dx
= .
dt dx
= v dx
m V 2∗(γ−1)
2 e p
ℯb = (4)
λmc As a result Newton’s second law of motion
The other important parameter is the muzzle changed in to
pressure based on kranth method of pressure dv
computation during after effect[2] is F = ma Where V= vp , then F = mvp dx
And F = ps Ab
a2 mc(γ+1)
Pmz = Ab Lb 2γ
(5)
Know derive energy by integrating the following

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mp vp
dvp
= ps ∗ Ab And mp vp dvp = ps Ab ∗ dxp  Girder or bending stress
dxp  Torsional stress
∫ mp vp dvp= ∫ ps ∗ Ab ∗ dxp  The radial stress is

mp ∫ vp dvp = ps ∗ Ab ∫ dxp piri2 − poro2 ( pi –po )ro2 ri2

σr = ro2 − ri2
– r2 ro2 −ri( r2o )
vp²
mp 2
= ps ∗ Ab ∗ xp
When consider internal pressure
Where xp = L = length of barrel 𝑜nly. i. e. Po = 0 ; means under the

Therefore mp vp ² = 2ps ∗ Ab ∗ L consideration of propellant gas only.

pi ri pi ro² ri²
2∗ps ∗Ab∗L
σr = -
ro² − ri² r² ( ro² − ri²
VP = √ cfm (8)
p
pi ri² ro²
σr = ro² − ri²
(1 - r²
) (10)
Where cf =0.945 is the correction factor
 Similarly hoop stress
Under this relationship obtain the maximum
piri² − poro2 ( pi −po ) ro²ri²
muzzle velocity by making iteration of barrel σt = ro² − ri²
+ r² (ro2 −ri ²)

length. pi ri² ro²

σt= (1 + ) (11)
ro² − ri² r²
3.3. Time consume propelling of projectile  The maximum shear stress and
inside the bore equivalent stress can be computed using
dv the following equation respectively
F = m∗a ; F = PS ∗ Ab and F = mp ∗ dt pi ro²
dv
τ max = and
ro²−ri ²
ps ∗ Ab = mp
dt
σt + σr 1
ps ∗ Ab ∗ dt mp ∗ dv σeq = + [√(σt − σr)2 + 4τ²
= 2 2
Ps ∗ Ab Ps ∗ Ab
 Longitudinal stress( 𝜎L):due to driving
mp
dt = P dv band force
s ∗Ab

When integrate this one FDB

t v mp
σL = Ab
∫t so dt = ∫v pm P ∗A dv 2k 2 Fp x +mpvp2 π 1 1 π
ss po s b ( ) [ ( − )+Fp ]
d Lb n2 n1 n1
σL = (12)
mp Ab
t so − t ss = (v − vpo )
Ps ∗ Ab pm  Girder or bending stress can be valuated
mp vpm
t= Ps ∗Ab
(9) σg =
M
(13)
Z

3.4. Stress analysis on gun barrel. There are five wX² wL² C
different type stress act on the gun barrel these are Where M = 2
− wLx + 2
and Z = Ip
π
[9] i.e Ip = ( d4o − d4i )
64
 Radial stress
 Circumferential or hoop stress  The rifling torque stress: due to twisting
 Longitudinal stress effect in the opposite direction of the
projectile.

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 τ max∗ Ip d𝗂
T= and r = (14)
r 2
3.5. Range calculation under the
consideration of vacuum model
 Range of projectile
vp² sin 2θ
R= g
(15)
4. Results and discussion
 Initial Data For 122 Mm Howitzer Gun
Barrel
1 Material Steel alloy
2 Maximum pressure(𝑀𝑃𝑎) 245.175
3 Poisson ratio 0.3
4 Density of barrel material(kg/m^3) 35467.67
5 Specific force(λ) 1.32*10^6
6 𝜋/𝑛1 0.061
7 𝜋/𝑛2 0.1257
8 Inner radius(m) 0.061
9 Outer radius (m) 0.07
10 Length of barrel 4.27
11 Mass of Charge(kg) 3.92
Graph 1: The relationship of barrel length and
12 Mass of Projectile(kg) 21.76
13 Ratio of Specific heat(𝛾) 1.25
muzzle velocity
14 Length of Bore(m) 3.4
 modeling of barrel length using CATIA
15 Weight of Intensity 610.4556
(N/m) soft ware
16 Length Of chamber 0.87
Table1: Data for122mm howitzer

Barrel Projectile Work Piezometric Ballistic Shot Muzzle

length velocity done efficiency efficienc travel pressur
(m) y (%) (m) e(Mpa)
(m/s) (MJ) (%)

1 334 1.347 42.3 6.5 0.75 150.08

2 472.56 2.696 42.4 13 1 112.56

Fig .5: CATIA modeling of 122mm original
gun barrel
3 578.8 4.045 42.4 19.54 2 56.28

4 668.3 5.392 42.4 26 3 37.52

4.27 690 5.748 42.4 27.7 3.4 33.1

5 747 6.738 42.4 32.5 4 28.14

6 818.5 8.089 42.4 39 5 22.5

7 884 9.436 42.4 45.5 6 18.76

7.74 930 10.4 42.4 50.45 6.87 16.38

43

Fig 6: The modified barrel length 122mm

Table:2:Relationship of barrel length, projectile howitzer
velocity, muzzle pressure and its efficiency

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 order to convert from firing position towards
traversing position and vice versa since the
weight of the barrel is reduced from original mass
of 130mm howitzer gun barrel.

 Comparison of stress analysis

on gun barrel

Stress Original gun Modified gun

barrel barrel

Maximum -245.175 ∗ 106 -245.175 ∗ 106

radial stress
(σrmax) in
Graph 2: Relation between muzzle pressures N/m²
with bore length
Maximum hoop 1071.526 ∗6 1071.526 ∗6
 Comparison of 122mm and stress(σtmax)N
130 mm howitzer /m²
Original Parameters 122 130
barrel mm mm Longitudinal 38.43 ∗ 106
stress (σL)N/m² 0.35893 ∗ 106
Original barrel 4.27 7.15
length (m) Girder 5.833 ∗ 10−3 0.7339
stress(σg) N/m²
Original mass of 1050 2780
barrel without Rifling torque 11.278 ∗ 106 11.278 ∗ 106
muzzle brake(kg) stress(T) Nm

Original velocity 690 930 Maximum shear 658.35 ∗ 106 658.35 ∗ 106
of the projectile stress(τmax)
(m/s) N/m²

Modified Modified barrel 7.74

barrel length(m)
Table 4: The original and modified comparison
Modified 930 of gun barrel
projectile
As we observe from the above table the radial
velocity(m/s)
stress, hoop stress, maximum shear stress and
Mass of barrel 1903 the rifling torque stress are not changed when
after modified(kg) the barrel length is increased; since the above
stress are mainly depend on the radius of the gun
barrel .However the longitudinal stress and
girder stress are changed since they are greatly
Table 3: Comparison of 122mm and 130 mm influenced by the barrel length.
howitzer
Even if it has its own negative impact on the
modified barrel over the recoil mechanism, but as
we observe from the above table reduce the mass
of barrel around 877kg.Therfore it has positive
contribution on to the traveling speed and also in

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 As observe that there is no significant variation
between analytical and ANSIS result; the error
may be from material selection or mesh size.

 Determination of the required

range using MATLAB

Muzzle Angle of departure Range ( R )

Fig7: Result of maximum shear stress Velocity(𝑢) (𝜃)° km
(m/s)
930 5° 15.3
930 9° 27.2
930 20° 56.67
930 45° 88.16
930 50° 86.8

Fig 8: Total deformation of barrel 930 60° 76.35

930 70° 56.67
Table 6: Range of fire with angle of angle of
departure

Fig 9: Result of equivalent stress

 Comparison of numerical
stress solution and ANSIYS
software result
No Parameter Analytical result ANSYS Error
result
Graph 3: Range of fire with
Girder σL 0.7339 0819.15 0.57%
stress departure angle using MATLAB

Maxi Τmax 658.35 ∗ 106 663.26*10^6 4.91% 5. Conclusion

mum In this paper the work is motivated by increased
shear the barrel length of 122mm howitzer is obtain the
stress maximum muzzle velocity and range of 130mm
howitzer. Therefore; the barrel length and the
Equiv σeq 1.344 ∗ 106 1.2 ∗ 106 0.144%
alent projectile velocity relationship becomes
stress proportional up to the desired of some optimum
point i.e up to the maximum muzzle velocity
Table 5: Comparison of the ANSIYS and analytical 130mm howitzer. In addition to that the muzzle
result of stress analysis pressure with the bore length relationship is not
different from original barrel length because the

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effect on pressure –space curve is merely to 7. Reference
extend the curve slightly to the right without
change of the maximum pressure. Plus to that the [1] Manual of 122mm Howitzer D-30 ( 2A18)
range of fire during the flight of the projectile is “Technical Description And Operating
definitely increased with variation of departure Instruction” 36
angle. The range is maximum at 45°then it [2] By Professor H.Peter Department Of Armament
became reduced; means increase departure angle Technology. “Armament Engineering A
up to the maximum elevation of the barrel i.e 70° Computer Aided Approach” On Pp 2-30
. From the analytical and MATLAB result the December 2003
following are made [3] Miner, Robert “Computational Interior Ballistics
Modeling”2013
 When the barrel length increased the [4] SEREBRJAKOV, M. E. “Interior Ballistics.” 2nd
time of work propellant to propelling the Edition. Moskva, Oborongiz, 1949
projectile inside the bore is increased i.e [5] PHD Michael Gibson “Determination Of
the work done which is performed inside Residual Stress Distribution S In Auto Freottage
the barrel is increased which provide for Thick Walled Cylinders” April 2008
the increment of muzzle velocity [6] DONALDE. C.ARLUCCS&SIDNEYS
 The relationship of the barrel length and JACOBSON “Ballistics Theory & Design Of
projectile velocity are shown on graph -1 Guns And Ammunition” From Pp-80-88 By
and bore length with muzzle velocity of Taylor & Francis Group, LLC 2007
projectile is shown on graph-2 [7] D. K .kankane and S.N.R Ranade “Computation
 Due to the increase of muzzle velocity of Of In- Bore Velocity-Time And Travel-Time
the projectile the range of the fire is Profile Form Breech Pressure Measurements”
increased under the consideration of [8] MIL-HDBK-785(AR) “Design Of Towed
vacuum trajectory model and Artillery Weapon System” 30 MARCH 1990”
demonstration on graph -3 [9] Checked By Capt. BHUPAL SINGH And
 From the numerical stress analysis and Approved By Lt COLR.K.PANDE. “Gun Design
ANSYS result the following are made And Construction (Restricted)”From Pp.26-34
 When the barrel length increased the [10] Base Line Design Of Rifle Barrel “EG325
radial, hoop, maximum shear stress has Mechanics Of Material 2nd” By Joshua Ricci
not any significant change; the result [11] BY. Ross Lawson Supervisor: PSS “To What
shown on fig 7 and 11 Extent Does Rifling Affect the Accuracy and
 But the girder stress and longitudinal Design Of Modern Rifles?”
stress increased from the original barrel
length of stress analysis; result are
demonstrated on fig 8

6. Recommendation of future work

In this paper the barrel length and projectile
velocity is proportional; means when the barrel
length increase infinitively, the projectile
velocity is increase in same way. This is hard to
believe, therefore these thing must be confirm
by experimental conduct on gradient of
projectile base pressure using piezoelectric
transducer gauge or strain gauge in order to
determine the optimum barrel length.

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