Mechanical behavior of the imperial carroballista

• Mechanical study of an artillery piece of the Roman Imperial Army.
• Finite element analysis of the torsion springs elastic motors of the machine.
• Mathematical model and mechanical behavior of the machine.
• Range figures of possible projectiles are computed.
• An ancient infantry support gun by the surprising modernity of ancient engineering.

A reconstruction of an artillery piece of the Roman Imperial Army and a mechanical study of the device is presented. The reconstruction is based on some bas reliefs on the Trajan Column and the Aurelian Column and on the investigations of some authors. By means of a mathematical model of the machine, the mechanical behavior of the machine itself and hence the range figures of possible projectiles are computed. The study shows that such a lightweight and cart mounted war machine represented a powerful and effective close support artillery piece for the Roman Imperial Legions.By means of a finite element code the torsion springs constituting the elastic motors of the machine were also analyzed.

By means of a finite element code, the torsion springs that represent the elastic motors of the machine, were analyzed. Hence the mechanical behavior of the machine itself and the range figures of possible projectiles were computed.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide