A comparative investigation on motion model of rifle bullet penetration into gelatin

Gelatin is a popular tissue simulant in biomedical applications. The behavior of a bullet and the effects of penetrating a simulant are similar in biological tissue. In order to accurately describe the interaction between a rifle bullet and muscle tissue, this paper discusses the wounding mechanism and the difference between the Bo Janzon (B-J) model, the Karl Sellier (K-S) model, and a three-degree of freedom (DOF) rigid-body motion model previously established by us based on the properties of gelatin. In addition, experiments conducted into rifle bullet penetration into gelatin, with bullet sizes 7.62 × 54 mm and 5.8 × 42 mm, and acquisition of the corresponding motion law are discussed. Numerical calculations reveal that the motion model has a better fit with experimental values than the B-J and K-S models. Further, it more accurately describes the motion of a rifle bullet penetrating gelatin than the other models and also has good generality. Thus, it can provide a theoretical reference for small arms ammunition design and wound treatment.