Numerical and Experimental Investigation of a Short Recoil Operated Weapon and Impact of Construction Characteristics on its Operation Cycle

Abstract

    Estimation of kinematic and dynamic parameters of weapon mechanisms during operation is one of the crucial elements of design and optimisation. This study presents results of numerical and experimental investigations of a short-recoil-operated weapon action cycle. Theoretical considerations were based on multibody systems and finite element approaches. An experimental stand was adopted to investigate the kinematic characteristics of pistol parts and provide a set of slide displacement and velocity time courses. Comparison of theoretical and experimental data allowed for positive validation of the investigated model. The multibody systems numerical approach ensured a maximum relative discrepancy with experiment of 3.5 per cent for the velocity of recoiled parts, while finite element analysis calculations yielded a value of 12.7 per cent. Finally, parametric analyses were conducted to determine the influence of selected design characteristics on weapon operation. The analyses proved the correctness of the adopted design assumptions.