Abstract
In this paper the bombardment of the Constantinople Theodosian Walls by the great cannon of Orban is numerically reproduced deploying Structural Mechanics. Overall gun dimensions were assessed based on historical reports, whereby, the gunpowder charge p was estimated at 177 kg, and the gun was placed at 500 m from the Inner Walls. Gun ballistics and effect on target have been evaluated analytically. The analysis has verified Orban’s gun muzzle velocity, cannonball trajectory and its effect on Constantinople Walls by successfully calculating the length of the breach in the wall, referred in historical reports, as well as the cannon ball penetration into soil. The evaluated sound pressure level inside Constantinople, produced by the bombard, confirmed the tremendous psychological effect of the cannon’s blast on the City’s population. A numerical effort was made to assess the combined effect of powder chamber internal pressure with associate temperature produced by powder ignition.
Highlights
A t the dusk of the Late Medieval period, during the first half of the 15th Century, Guns with enormous proportions appeared in the European battlefields
Overall gun dimensions were assessed based on historical reports, whereby, the gunpowder charge p was estimated at 177 kg, and the gun was placed at 500 m from the Inner Walls
A numerical effort was made to assess the combined effect of powder chamber internal pressure with associate temperature produced by powder ignition
Summary
A t the dusk of the Late Medieval period, during the first half of the 15th Century, Guns with enormous proportions appeared in the European battlefields. A ballistic scenario has been adopted in order to check Orban’s gun bombarding effect on Constantinople Inner Walls on April 24, 1453, as reported by Iskanter [5], who was an eyewitness of the historical events. This procedure was necessary in order to check and verify both muzzle velocity and the R factor, reflecting the pressure rise in the gunpowder chamber (Eq(1)). Effect on human ear Totally quiet nighttime in desert Beginning of hearing damage, earplugs should be worn Normal average car or house stereo at maximum volume The beginning of pain at the most sensitive frequency of 2750 Hertz A very large, powerful portable radio Human body begins to perceive vibration in the low frequencies Front row in rock concert F16 sonic boom Earthquake intensity 5 on Richter scale
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