A Towed Artillery Nonlinear Finite Element Structural Dynamics Analysis

This thesis focuses on nonlinear structural dynamics study of D30 122 towed howitzer with finite element program system ABAQUS, based on structural dynamics theory and nonlinear Finite Element Methods. The main contents are as follows: (1)Creating finite element model of cradle carriage, top carriage and trail of the howitzer. The structural static stress analysis of are dealt with finite element program system I-DEAS. (2)For accuracy and computation cost, the nonlinear finite element structural dynamics model of the howitzer is created with different elements such as solid elements, shell elements and beam elements. When creating the finite element model, complicated connections among howitzer components are considered, especially the large displacement slide and the nonlinear spring connection between gun tube and cradle rail. (3)The gun firing at 0° direction angle and 0° elevating angle is simulated with explicit time integration method and implicit time integration method, and the similar results are obtained. Implicit time integration method is emphatically used at simulation of gun firing of other condition, because implicit methods are especially well-suited to solving structural dynamics problems. The characteristics of structural dynamics response of the gun are obtained through analysis and comparison from the results obtained by simulation. With the method of this thesis, much work such as verifying scheme, finding design bug and evaluating stiffness and strength of the gun can be done through simulation in the stage of gun design, then period of design is shortened, and cost of design is reduced too.