The Use of Geotechnical Methods to Determine the Deformation Parameters of the Ground in Terms of Operation and Safety of Mortar Use.

Grzegorz Bartnik,Mariusz Magier,Kazimierz Józefiak,Małgorzata Superczyńska,Magdalena Czerwińska,Witold Krajewski,Tadeusz Kuśnierz,Józef Legieć

doi:10.3390/ma14237237

Abstract

During firing from a mortar, an important issue is the parameters of compressibility of the ground on which the mortar is placed. This affects the operation of the mortar (including safety). During the qualification tests of the mortar, the influence of different types of terrains on its strength and work during shooting should be examined. Until now, in the Polish standardization documents there was no clear description of the ground parameters used for these kinds of tests. Analysis of the literature also did not allow to determine the dependence of the mortars displacement in the function of the type of ground and its geotechnical parameters. In view of the above, it has become important to draw up a research problem in the form of determining the types of soil with parameters, enabling the mortar tests to be carried out in conditions as close as possible to combat conditions. Therefore, the authors carried out the theoretical calculations and field tests with the use of geotechnical methods such as static and dynamic load tests to determine the parameters of the ground for mortar testing. Preliminary tests were conducted using the prescribed measurement methods and a comparative mortar firing test. Subsequently, an analysis of the results was carried out and the possibilities of using the tested methods of measuring the parameters of soil compressibility were determined.

Highlights

Infantry mortar is an fundamental weapon of modern warfare
Designing standardized test stands with mortar test sites is a complex issue
In order to ensure the repeatability of the test conditions, the characteristics of the shooting process and the interaction between the mortar and the soil should be taken into account

Summary

Introduction

Infantry mortar is an fundamental weapon of modern warfare. Across the history of the weapon, it has enabled the infantry to have their own artillery support. The infantry mortar as developed after World War I has remained basically the same. The requirements of modern troops, including high mobility, significantly changed the weight of the mortar, but did not change its general combat characteristics. The fire task of mortars from the beginning of their existence has remained practically unchanged—firing from a high angle of the trajectory at the target in order to support the infantry. Modern mortars (due to increased range, precision, and effectiveness) allow infantry units to effectively and precisely fight targets even in urbanized areas. Compared with other types of artillery equipment, they are characterized by the following characteristics: Materials 2021, 14, 7237.

Results

Discussion

Conclusion