An investigation of interior ballistics ignition phase

An axisymmetric viscous two-phase model is presented which describes the transient combustion of granular propellants during the ignition phase of a ballistic charge. Details of the model are presented along with computational results for a low-pressure ballistic simulator. Predicted pressure time evolutions are compared with experimental data of a real test-firing in which an unexpected pressure excursion occurred. Gun propellant breakup effects, due to bed compaction, are taken into consideration to explain the discrepancies between the numerical and experimental results. Finally, a discussion is presented of the mechanisms by which the behavior of pressure waves can be strongly influenced and thus controlled by the manner in which the propelling charge is ignited.This article was processed using Springer-Verlag T_EX Shock Waves macro package 1.0 and the AMS fonts, developed by the American Mathematical Society.