The Shotgun Pellets Interior Ballistics Analysis by Discrete Element Method (DEM) of LS-DYNA®

This research used the Discrete Element Method (DEM) of Finite Element Software (LS-DYNA) successfully simulated the interior ballistics performance of shotgun pellets and the deformation of wad and shot cup. This research used 12-gauge shotgun with #9 bird shot which has 433 pellets inside the shot, as an example. There are four components are modeled by finite element: barrel, wad with shot cup, case, and pellets of the shot. The input forces are the chamber pressure on the bottom of wad, which is calculated by Vallier-Heydenreich empirical formula, and the air resistance in the front faces of shot cup. The outputs are velocity/acceleration history of the wad with shot cup and pellets, the distribution of pellets after exits muzzle, and the deformation of the wad with shot cup. The calculated muzzle speed of pellets is 423m/s, compare to 412m/s of Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufactures Institute (SAAMI) tested, there is only 2.67% error. The results of this research could lead the traditional test-oriented shotgun industry into contemporary Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) by introducing the DEM of FEM to the industry.