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EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON INFLUENCE OF EXPLOSIVE CHARGE TO

NATURAL FRAGMENT SIZE DISTRIBUTION

Conference Paper · January 2004

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15 th DAAAM INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM
"Intelligent Manufacturing & Automation: Globalization – Technology – Men – Nature"
3-6 th November 2004, Vienna, Austria

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON INFLUENCE OF EXPLOSIVE CHARGE TO

NATURAL FRAGMENT SIZE DISTRIBUTION
Zecevic, B.; Terzić, J. & Catovic, A.

Abstract: At natural fragmentation of warheads, replacement and velocity of fragments). Warhead cases were made of the
of explosive charge with greater detonation rate considerable steel C70D, and warhead masses were kept the same, but only
affects geometry of natural fragments as well as their mass and types of explosive charge were varied (TNT and Composition
spatial distribution, and particularly changes of fragments B). Ratios of explosive charge mass and warhead metal case
velocities. Authors proposed a new approach to presentation of mass were CTNT/m = 0,565 and CComp B/m = 0,587.
experimental results, which enables selection of an optimal Dimensionless thickness of the warhead shell W2 was t/d =
warhead explosive charge. 0,08237. Four fragmentation tests were carried out for each
Key words: warhead, natural fragmentation, explosive charge, type of explosive charge.
fragment velocity, fragment size.

1. INTRODUCTION

Measurements of warhead performances require very complex

measuring equipment and measuring process itself is expensive
as well. HE warhead efficiency at natural fragmentation Fig. 1 Warhead W2
depends on fragments space distribution, mass, shape and
velocity of each fragment and projectile impact conditions. For prediction of size distribution of natural fragmented
Fragment velocity depends directly on warhead metal shell and warhead, the Held formula with two parameters and the total
explosive charge mass ratio, detonation rate and density of mass M0 or the best fit of total mass M0Best as inputs, gives an
explosive charge. Geometric shape of natural fragments, their excellent description of the experimentally found mass
mass and spatial distribution are functions of designed warhead distributions of a natural fragmented warhead (Held, 1993). An
shell geometry, mechanical properties of warhead shell improved fit to natural-fragmentation data can be obtained
material (tensile strength and toughness) as well as using equation:
performances of explosive (physical and energetic). It is
essential to have a capability to make warhead performance (
M (n ) = M 0 ⋅ 1 − e − B⋅n
λ
) (1)
prediction in the earliest phases of ammunition preliminary where; B and λ are both empirically determined constants, with
design. This warhead performances prediction capability is B = const.⋅ d / t and of order 10-2 and λ of order 2/3. In the
based on comprehensive database of warheads natural Held equation M0 is the total mass of all fragments, M(n) and n
fragmentation performances (Gold at al., 2001). are the cumulative fragments mass and cumulative fragments
Artillery projectiles or rocket warheads are usually two- number beginning with the heaviest fragment. Held frequently
dimensional axial symmetric. Natural fragmentation of found that it was necessary to discard a few of the heaviest
projectiles or warheads results in wide range random fragments in order to obtain a curve fit to data over the rest of
distributions of fragment sizes (masses and geometries). the range. The constants B and λ are determined from above
Expansion of warhead shell caused by detonation products of equation by mathematical transformation:
explosive charge brings about a body being split into various
[M 0 − M (n )] M 0 = e − B⋅n
λ

sized fragments. Detonation products cause expansion of (2)

warhead case greater than about twice the warhead initial and the natural logarithm of the above equation is:
radius. The maximum fragment velocity (95 to 100% of the ln[(M 0 − M (n )) M 0 ] = − B ⋅ n λ (3)
Gurney velocity) is achieved at the end of fragment
If the logarithm of above equation is performed again, it is
acceleration at a radius of about 1.6 to 1.8 times the initial
possible to determine the constants B and in the log-log plot.
warhead radius (Lloyd, 1999).
By differentiating of the equation, Held M(n) gave the
approximate mass of the n-th fragment:
2. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON
m(n ) = dM (n ) dn = M 0 ⋅ B ⋅ λ ⋅ n λ −1 ⋅ e − B⋅n
λ

INFLUENCE OF EXPLOSIVE CHARGE TO (4)

FRAGMENT SIZE DISTRIBUTION From the fragment mass distribution (FMD) log-log
diagram, constant B and exponent λ with correlation coefficient
Experimental researches performed by the authors were aimed r2 are obtained. If in the log-log diagram, the straight line does
at estimation of natural fragmentation performances (number, not fit the measuring data very well, given total mass Mo is not
mass and fragments shape) of warhead when the explosive an optimum mass for such fragments mass distribution. Now,
charge is changed (comparison of two explosive charges with an optimum mass (or best mass) M0Best is calculated:
different detonation rates and densities). Number, mass and Best
(
M 0 = M (n ) 1 − e − B⋅n λ
) (5)
fragments shape at natural fragmentation of warheads have The constants B and λ are originally determined. The new
been determined by Pit test. The point of research was an constants BB and λ B are determined with the total mass M0Best
( )
estimation of influence of detonation rate on natural warhead
M (n ) = M 0Best ⋅ 1 − e − BB ⋅n
λB
fragmentation performances (number, mass, geometrical shape (6)
 This procedure is repeated until a satisfactory correlation detonation products generated by more powerful explosive.
coefficient is obtained ( r 2 ≥ 0,99 ). When more powerful explosive is used, initial warhead volume
Fragments were classified by mass groups and is increased more intensive and warhead case thickness is
experimental data were processed using Held methodology decreased (condition of mass conservation). Explosive Comp B
(Fig.2). has 40% greater detonation pressure and 12% greater
detonation rate. Experimental researches showed that warhead
volume can be risen more considerable before fragmentation
process has been started (Zecevic and al., 2004). Increase of the
ratio Vi/V0 causes decrease of the ratio ti/t0, that result in a
greater fragments number with less mean fragments mass.

Fig. 2 Cumulative fragments mass dependency on cumulative

fragments number

Fragment velocities are measured using different

techniques as electronic, optical or x-ray. If these techniques
are not available, initial velocity of fragments released from Fig. 4 Fragments number contribution, or fragment mass
explosion of a warhead is approximated by the Gurney contribution as a function of the mean fragments mass
formula. The simplest expression of the Gurney formula for
symmetrical configurations is: The warhead with explosive charge of Comp B has in 4%
greater metal mass loss compared to the warhead with TNT
vGurney = 2 ⋅ E ⋅ 1 / (0,5 + M / C ) (7)
explosive charge. Explosive Comp B has 12% greater
where 2 ⋅ E is Gurney constant, M-metal mass of warhead detonation rate and 3,8% greater density related to TNT.
case and C - mass of explosive charge (Karp, 1975). The Increased detonation rate and greater explosive density affect
Gurney constant can be approximated by the simple increase of fragments velocity in 13,8 %, so fragments with
expression 2 ⋅ E = 0,338 ⋅ D , where D is the detonation less mean masses have considerable greater kinetic energy and
lethality as well.
velocity (depending on explosive type and its density).
4. CONCLUSION

It was not possible to be clear defined an influence of explosive

type on natural fragmentation performances by using Held
method.
Authors proposed a new approach to presentation of
experimental results, which enables selection of an optimal
warhead explosive charge.
The warhead with Comp B explosive charge generates
more fragments (57%) with greater fragments kinetic energy
and increased fragments spatial distribution density, which
considerable increase lethal zone of such filled warheads.
Fig.3 Variation of fragment velocity as a function of explosive
type
5. REFERENCES
3. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS ANALYSIS
Gold V.; Baker E., Ng K. & Hirlinger, J. (2001). A Method for
Prediction Fragmentation Characteristics of Natural and
Warhead with the case made of steel C70D and Comp B
Preformed Explosive Fragmentation Munitions, ARWEC-
produces larger number of fragments compared to the warhead
TR-01007, US Army Armament Research, Development
with TNT explosive charge. At the same time, at the first
and Engineering Center
variant of warheads a larger loss of the fragments mass was
Held M. (1993). Fragmentation Warhead, Tactical Missile
registered (metal part of the warhead was transformed to very
Warhead, Edited by Carleone J., Progress in Astronautics
small fragments), 11,7 % compared to 8,7 % for another one.
and Aeronautics, Volume 155, AIAA, Washington, 1993.
However, it is not possible to conclude from Fig.3 which
Karpp R. & Predebon W. (1975). Calculation of fragment
warhead has better fragmentation performances. Because of
velocity from natural fragmenting munitions, BRL
that, authors presented their results in a different way (Fig. 4).
Memorandum Report N0. 2509, USA Ballistic research
The mean mass of particular groups was taken as a variable.
Laboratories, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
Correlation between fragments number of mass groups, whose
Lloyd R. (1999). Conventional Warhead System Physics and
mean masses are less than mean fragments mass related to total
Engineering design, Progress in Astronautics and
fragments number, or between fragments mass of these mass
Aeronautics, Volume 179, AIAA
groups and total fragments mass of the warhead were
Zecevic, B; Terzic, J. & Catovic, A. (2004). Influence of
established. The warhead with explosive charge of Comp. B
Warhead Case Material on Natural Fragmentation
generates more fragments but with less mean mass and with
Performances, Annals of DAAAM for 2004 & Proceedings
more fragment mass contribution. Authors explained such
of the 15th International DAAAM Symposium, Viena
results as consequence of more intensive influence of

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