Experimental study of transient pressure wave in the behind armor blunt trauma induced by different rifle bullets

Pressure wave plays an important role in the occurrence of behind armor blunt trauma (BABT), and ballistic gelatin is widely used as a surrogate of biological tissue in the research of BABT. Comparison of pressure wave in the gelatin behind armor for different rifle bullets is lacking. The aim of this study was to observe dynamic changes in pressure wave induced by ballistic blunt impact on the armored gelatin block and to compare the effects of bullet type on the parameters of the transient pressure wave. The gelatin blocks protected with National Institute of Justice (NIJ) class III bulletproof armor were shot by three types of rifle bullet with the same level of impact energy. The transient pressure signals at five locations were recorded with pressure sensors and three parameters (maximum pressure, maximum pressure impulse, and the duration of the first positive phase) were determined and discussed. The results indicated that the waveform and the twin peak of transient pressure wave were not related to the bullet type. However, the values of pressure wave’s parameters were significantly affected by bullet type. Additionally, the attenuation of pressure amplitude followed the similar law for the three ammunitions. These findings may be helpful to get some insight in the BABT and improve the structure design of bullet.