Impact of gunshot and shell hit on the tank hull

In paper there were presented results of calculations of tank model exposed to impact of loads generated while gunshot and after hull or turret hit by armour-piercing shell. Increase of the fire efficiency may be achieved, among others, by increase of shell initial velocity or by increase of its caliber. Both methods cause increase of construction loads. Statistical data about probability distribution of direct hit of Second World War tanks and information about recent military conflicts show, that today the most threatened tank part is the turret, with arranged armament and fire control system. However regardless of the hit-point, load spreads on the crew and inner equipment, as well in case of shell hit on the rebound. In paper there were shown the results of numerical analysis of the strain state of selected hull elements for assumed load variants as well as time courses of accelerations acting on construction elements and crew members.