Transient finite element for in-bore analysis of 9 mm pistols

The in-bore process that occurs when a pistol is fired involves multiple physical models. This process is brief and typically measured in microseconds. Furthermore, propellants produce high temperatures and pressure gases during the burning process. These factors have made experimentation and simulation of the in-bore behavior of bullets difficult. This study uses a nonlinear transient finite element method (FEM) to simulate the in-bore behavior of a 9 mm bullet after being fired, where the chamber pressure is calculated by Vallier–Heydenreich formula and is used as the input loading. A gunshot experiment is conducted to verify the accuracy of computational results. The maximum difference between the numerical results and real experimental data is only 2.56% (including muzzle velocity and width and depth of engraved bullet vestiges), indicating that the simulation is credible.The discussed simulation is capable of obtaining the plastic deformation and kinematic status of the bullet and the stress history and distribution of the gun barrel. The numerical results can provide complete data of the entire in-bore process, improve the drawbacks during real in-bore ballistic research experiments, and assist engineers in designing and developing other novel systems. The simulation can save considerable time when designing small arms barrels.