Optimal Structural Modifications of a Gun Tripod for Desired Natural Frequencies

Sensitivity analysis and structural modification techniques are used to investigate the structural modifications of a machine gun tripod which suffers from severe vibration during firing due to the resonance. The finite element analysis and modal test techniques are used to determine the natural frequencies of the machine gun. The sensitivities of natural frequencies with respect to the structural parameters of the tripod are obtained by the method of sensitivity analysis, and they can be used as an indication for the structural modification of the tripod so as to shift the natural frequencies effectively. By the structural modification techniques, finally, the optimal structural modifications of the tripod for desired natural frequencies are made to avoid the resonance, and this optimal structural modification is verified by re-analysis of the modified structure and the vibration contrast between original structure and modified structure. The research resulted in a successful structural modification for desired natural frequencies, which can avoid the resonance and thereby greatly improve the shooting precision of the machine gun during firing.