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Browsing Cranfield Defence and Security by Author "Abid, Rabia"

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    Stress analysis of gun breech block for gun design applications
    (DEStech Publications Inc., 2025-05-19) Abid, Rabia; Appleby-Thomas, Gareth J.; Goyder, Hugh; Grasso, Marzio; Hameed, Amer; Carlucci, Don; Uhlig, W. Casey
    This study presents a detailed Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of a breech block featuring a buttress thread, aimed at understanding the stress distribution under various loading conditions. Buttress threads, known for their high load-bearing capacity and asymmetrical profile, are commonly used in applications where high axial loads are required, such as in hydraulic systems and fasteners. Utilizing Abaqus, a comprehensive stress analysis was conducted on the threaded block to assess critical factors such as stress concentration, deformation patterns, and the overall integrity of the design under different loading scenarios. The model was created using precise geometric definitions of the buttress thread, including the lead angle and asymmetric thread profiles. The material properties were assigned based on realistic parameters commonly used in industrial applications, this material was steel 4340. Static loading conditions were applied to simulate operational stresses, and a fine mesh was employed to capture the detailed stress distribution around the thread roots and flanks, where stress concentrations are typically highest. The results revealed that the buttress thread design effectively distributes axial loads along the inclined surface, minimizing stress concentrations compared to conventional thread forms. This design of the breech block based on the buttress thread is extremely important when it comes to the gun design and it is a good reason why the buttress thread is design in this way for most guns. However, significant stress concentration was observed at the root of the thread, necessitating potential design optimizations. This analysis demonstrates the efficacy of buttress threads for highload applications in gun designs, with the FEA results providing valuable insights for further refinement of the design. The study validates the use of Abaqus in performing detailed stress analysis of complex geometries, showcasing its capability to predict critical stress regions and potential failure points. Recommendations for future work include fatigue analysis and exploring the effects of varying thread dimensions on stress distribution to judge the novelty in our work.
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