Mechanisms of fluid–structure interaction in an underwater muzzle brake

Abstract

A fluid–structure interaction (FSI) mechanism of a shock-type underwater muzzle brake is examined. A bidirectional coupling interior ballistic approach is employed to achieve accurate projectile velocity. A velocity–pressure separation solution algorithm, semi-implicit method for pressure-linked equations and the Schnerr–Sauer cavitation model are used to address the volume of fluid multiphase Navier–Stokes equations with compressible cavitation. The full ballistic muzzle flow field distribution is comprehensively modeled. Analyzing the force and flow parameters of the T-shaped underwater muzzle brake based on the numerical solution reveals detailed insights. The underwater muzzle brake provides significant braking force in the interior ballistic period due to the presence of the water medium, which is quite different from air launch. Moreover, while both the internal and intermediate ballistic periods utilize the kinetic energy of the fluid against the wall, the muzzle brake principle in the interior ballistic period is a positive kinetic impact of water, mainly dependent on the flow velocity inside the barrel, and provides 17% recoil impulse. The side holes are significantly affected by cavitation phenomena. In contrast, during the intermediate ballistic period, the kinetic impact of gas, primarily dependent on the high-pressure gas expansion, decreases exponentially with time and provides 36% recoil impulse.