Thermal Study of 155 mm Gun Barrel

Thermal analysis of 155 Gun barrel is an important aspect of designing the gun barrel and deciding the maximum firing rate. The performance of any artillery depends upon the thermal behaviour of the gun barrel among various factors, and its availability for continuous firing depends on the maximum bore temperature and cook-off time of the barrel. In this paper, the effect of maximum bore temperature, cook-off, active cooling is reviewed. Heat transfer to the gun barrel surface is calculated using analytical analysis with given ammunition parameters. Analytical and finite element analysis of maximum bore temperature and cook-off time is also included. Finite element analysis of external Jacket water cooling of the barrel shows that the gun can fire continuously at three rounds per minute without reaching cook-off temperature.