3D FEM simulation of electromagnetic railgun structure dynamics

Abstract

In this work 3D FEM simulations of the dynamic behaviour of the housing of the electromagnetic railgun EMA-3 are presented. This mechatronic experimental facility is located at the French-German Research Institute Saint-Louis (ISL), France. The housing of a railgun has to counter the magnetic repelling forces acting on the rails. In the case of EMA3, discrete steel bolts are used to counter these forces. A full 3-D and a simplified 1D railgun model are developed and compared to improve the understanding of the dynamic behaviour of the structural elements. In particular, the role of the steel bolts is analysed. The models are studied by the finite element method using ANSYS software. The numerical results are compared with previously published experimental data.