Safety Assessment of Insensitive and Conventional Energetic Materials using 50mm Small Standard Shaped Charges: Numerical and Experimental Insights

Muhammad Saqib Awan; Zheng Xiang Huang; Xudong Zu; Qiang Qiang Xiao; Bin Ma

Safety Assessment of Insensitive and Conventional Energetic Materials using 50mm Small Standard Shaped Charges: Numerical and Experimental Insights

Authors

Muhammad Saqib Awan School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing,210094, China. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7491-1335
Zheng Xiang Huang School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing,210094, China. https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1964-3678
Xudong Zu School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing,210094, China. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4648-1669
Qiang Qiang Xiao School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing,210094, China. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0050-6349
Bin Ma School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing,210094, China. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1436-576X

Abstract

The detonation of conventional munitions due to accidents or hostile actions causes urban destruction and loss of life, underscoring the need for improved safety measures. This study addresses the scarcity of research in munitions safety by investigating the threat of small and medium munitions. Experimental setups using 50mm shaped charges were developed and simulated with ANSYS AUTODYN, featuring JH-2 explosive and oxygen free high conductivity copper liner. Aluminum buffer plates were added to align jet energy levels with small and medium munitions' requirements. Safety assessments of JH-2 explosive against standard charges utilized φ45x40mm JH-2 targets covered with steel. Numerical simulations employed the Lee-Tarver ignition and growth model, comparing JH-2 explosive response with insensitive explosives like LX-17 and TATB. Results showed JH-2's failure in experimental tests, corroborated by simulations, while TATB and LX-17 remained stable. This study advocates for the adoption of cost-effective, insensitive explosives in next generation weaponry to mitigate unintentional detonations.

Downloads

Published

2024-03-13

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 3 (2024)

Section

Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License [CC BY] that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).