Experimental study on fragments dispersion characteristics of elliptical cross-section casing under explosive loading

Abstract

To better understand the fragments dispersion characteristics of elliptical cross-section warhead (ECSW), static explosion experiments were conducted with four ECSWs and one circular cross-section warhead (CCSW). The warheads were designed with the same mass ratio of charge to the metal casing, and the difference in cross-section shape was indicated by the shape ratio. The experimental results indicated that ECSW fragments dispersion in their radial direction deviated from the normal direction of casing under explosive loading. The radial deviation angle decreased with the higher shape ratios. In the axial direction, the axial projection angle of fragment increased gradually from the major to the minor axis. Additionally, the fragment velocity and density in the minor axis direction increased noticeably compared to the major axis, and the difference reduced as the shape ratio increased. A formula for predicting the radial velocity distribution of the fragments was proposed, and the maximum relative error between the calculation and experiment results is less than 5 %. Finally, the driving mechanism of ECSW was preliminarily revealed. The findings serve as a fundamental basis for future research on ECSW and offer valuable insights for the development of innovative warhead designs.