Application of Modelling and Simulation in the Measurement of Weapon Chamber Pressures by Copper Crusher Gauges in Test Ranges

This paper presents the work on Finite Element simulation of compression of copper balls used in crusher gauges for the measurement of chamber pressures in weapon systems due to the gas pressures generated on initiation of the propellant. A strain hardening dependent material model has been used to simulate the response of the copper ball subjected to time-invariant pressure loads. The simulated deformation values have been compared with experimental data and validated. This work lays the foundation for simulation of dynamic response of copper gauges subjected to high rates of pressure loads.