A Modal Survey of the M1A1 Main Weapon System
Abstract
When a tank fires its main weapon system, a complex chain of dynamic events begins. The projectile is accelerated down an imperfect gun tube (gun tubes are never perfectly straight) being forced by the burning propellant gases. During this time, considerable forces and interactions between the projectile and gun tube are possible. In some cases, the response of the two systems (i.e., the projectile and gun tube) are not fully understood. One method of examining the dynamics of these complicated chain of events is to develop straightforward numerical models. As a first step in assuring the accuracy of these models, verification of the assumptions, such as geometry and boundary conditions, must be examined. This paper discusses an experimental modal survey of the M1A1 main weapon system. Both horizontal and vertical components are examined to find the actual frequencies and mode shapes of the system. A simple numerical model is developed using the finite element method and subsequently compared to the experimental results of the modal survey. A discussion of the system's attributes, as well as the techniques and assumptions used to develop the finite element model are discussed at length. Possible shortcomings in the numerical approximation are outlined as well.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADP009084
Entities
People
- Morris Berman
- Stephen Wilkerson
- Ting Li
Organizations
- United States Army Research Laboratory