Numerical simulation of gas flow field in a muzzle brake

Abstract

The muzzle brake is an important part of the artillery system because of its efficiency depends reliable work of the recoil system. To estimate the efficiency of the muzzle brake, it is important to determine the time-dependent pressure and velocity field inside the muzzle brake, which depends on the geometry of the brake, pressure and velocity of the gases at the gun muzzle, energy loses in the flow field along the muzzle brake etc. Also, the analysis of the flow field parameters of the gunpowder combustion products in the muzzle brake provides stress and temperature field in the brake, which affects the design parameters, material type and surface protection of the muzzle brake. The numerical simulation was performed using CFD software ANSYS Fluent to analyze phenomena inside the muzzle brake during the emptying of the gun barrel. Numerical simulation was performed in 2D geometry which was created based on the mass flow in 3D geometry. Experimental results were obtained measuring static pressure of the gunpowder combustion products at three places along the axis of the brake. A comprehensive comparison between numerical and experimental results shows good agreement. Based on this analysis, it was determined how geometry parameters of the muzzle brake and flow parameters on the gun muzzle affects its efficiency. This allows finding the optimal design parameters of the muzzle brake, taking into account the possibility of production. The analysis of the flow field parameters in the muzzle brake is not important only because of the determination of its efficiency, but it allows further analysis of the blast pressure around the gun and its effect on the gun crew members.