Citation

Dograr T, Sabuncuoglu B. Journal of Vibration Engineering & Technologies 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022)

DOI

10.1007/s42417-022-00723-5

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A remote-controlled weapon system is controlled with a gun control unit, integrated into various mobile platforms [1]. Due to the platform's mobility, such gun control units are exposed to vibration and mechanical shock that comes from the platform, which can cause severe damage to the structure. To prevent possible damages in advance, various numerical analysis methods have been used in the design stage. Such methods provide the opportunity to predict the mechanical response of structures to the external loads during their operation. However, accurate modeling of structures is required for the reliability of such design changes. The accuracy of methods such as finite element modeling depends on the assumptions taken into account during the modeling phase. Thus, verifying such models with experiments is crucial for the reliability of these methods.

Purpose

The manuscript has presented a realistic numerical simulation of a gun control column.
Methods

A numerical model for the modal analysis of a control column with an elastomer isolator was developed in this study. Various contact model definitions were defined between the elastomer isolator and its contact parts. Material tests were conducted on elastomer material for more realistic modeling. Experimental analysis was performed to validate the models. In the experiments, a force was applied to the control column with the impact hammer, and accelerations due to the excitation were collected on it. Using the data, the natural frequencies and their corresponding mode shapes were obtained.
Results

A comparison of the numerical results with the experiments revealed the importance of contact types affecting the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the structure significantly. The natural frequency values calculated using the "bonded contact" algorithm between the surfaces connected by bolts provided the best agreement with the experimental results. Besides, the modeling of accelerometers has been found to be crucial for accurate modeling.
Conclusion

A finite element model was developed that accurately simulates control column dynamics mounted on the gun control unit.

Language: en

Keywords

Control column; Experimental modal analysis; Finite element analysis; Neoprene; Tensile test