The terminal ballistic experimental analysis of an empty and full water tank

Abstract

This paper presents the footage from a hi-speed camera used in the experiment on both cases of a non-filled and water-filled aluminium tank. The objective was to determine the failure stages that will be used as a reference in the simulation works later on. The tank was impacted by fragment simulating projectiles (FSP) at 260 m/s for the non-filled tank and 972 m/s for the water-filled tank. The aluminium tank was 3 mm thick, 150 mm wide and 750 mm long. The ends of the tank were closed with two Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) windows. The gas gun was used to launch the projectile and a digital chronograph was used to capture the velocity of the FSP that impacted the tank. For recording purposes, a digital high speed camera with the capability of 250,000 frames per second (max) and the highest resolution of 1024 x 1024 was used. For the data acquisition and processing, Photron Fastcam Viewer (PFV) software was used. The test was conducted at the Science and Technology Research Institute for Defence (STRIDE), Batu Arang, Selangor, Malaysia. The results showed four main failure stages for the non-filled tank, these being, first contact between FSP and the tank, partial perforation, full perforation with FSP and plug still intact and lastly separation of FSP and plug. Meanwhile for the water-filled tank, there were seven main failure stages, which were first contact between FSP and the tank, partial perforation, full perforation, drag phase, cavity phase, bounce wave event and the collapse of the cavity.

A Simulation Algorithm Capable Of Modelling Spatial Impact Points From The Neutralization Of An Improvised Explosive Device

“…HRAM is a phenomenon that occurs when a highly-energetic object penetrates a fluid filled container [13]. This area of research analyzes the vulnerabilities of aircraft or vehicle fuel tanks [95] to projectile impacts with objectives that range from determining failure stages of a waterfilled tank of a specific construction (thickness and size) and material [96], to analyzing the energies, momenta and pressure contours from an applied resultant force [97].…”

A Simulation Algorithm Capable Of Modelling Spatial Impact Points From The Neutralization Of An Improvised Explosive Device

“…HRAM is a phenomenon that occurs when a highly-energetic object penetrates a fluid filled container [13]. This area of research analyzes the vulnerabilities of aircraft or vehicle fuel tanks [95] to projectile impacts with objectives that range from determining failure stages of a waterfilled tank of a specific construction (thickness and size) and material [96], to analyzing the energies, momenta and pressure contours from an applied resultant force [97].…”