Research on simulation of a bullet skimming the ground by the finite element method

Abstract

It is greatly complicated to research the process of bullets penetrating into the ground due to the diversity and heterogeneity of ground physical characteristics. The empirical formulas have been developed for scenarios involving deep penetration of bullets into the ground so far; however, equivalent calculations for bullets skimming the ground scenarios remain absent. This paper has established a finite element method (FEM) simulation model for deep penetration and validated it against empirical data. Leveraging this validated model, simulations have been extended to examine the bullets skimming the ground behavior of bullets. The results have delineated the impact angles at which bullets skimming the ground occur for soil with average compaction density. This methodology can be adapted to various soil types to construct a comprehensive set of parameters for bullets skimming the ground angles, thereby optimizing artillery performance.