Modeling the fragmentation effects of an explosion when implementing hand grenade repair technology

Neklonskyi Ihor

National University of Civil Protection of Ukraine

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5561-4945

Smіrnov Oleg

National University of Civil Protection of Ukraine

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1237-8700

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52363/2524-0226-2026-43-17

Keywords: ammunition, grenades, repair, technology, fragment, fragmentation effect of the explosion, human injury

Аnnotation

A technological process for repairing hand grenades has been developed, which involves elimi-nating malfunctions in hand grenade bodies and equipping them with explosives. The research is due to the need to modify the supply system of weapons and military equipment for the security and de-fense sector forces. The results obtained are based on the principles of design and concepts of study-ing the explosion of condensed explosives and the theory of plasticity using methods of analysis, syn-thesis, mathematical modeling, etc. A mathematical modeling of the action of fragments of different sizes and masses during an explosion has been carried out, which allows assessing their impact re-gardless of the nature of the fragmentation of the shells and their ballistics. The modeling results show the unified nature of the proposed mathematical model. This allows its application (with certain limitations and assumptions) in the conditions of implementing technological processes for repairing both hand fragmentation grenades and any high-explosive artillery ammunition. To increase the ef-fectiveness of risk management during the implementation of the technological process of repairing hand grenades, an approach is proposed to assess the possible consequences of the damaging effect of fragments in the event of an abnormal operation of the product under the conditions of implementing the appropriate technological solution. The assessment process is implemented through the method-ology for calculating the probability of people being hit by grenade fragments. The methodology is based on the results of modeling the fragmentation effect of a grenade explosion. The proposed meth-odology allows taking into account the factors of the negative impact of an emergency event, which are both deterministic and probabilistic in nature. The results of the study can be implemented by both the performers of the work and the relevant state supervision bodies in the field of technogenic and fire safety in the process of conducting an examination during the implementation of control measures, approval of regulatory and other design documents.

References

1. Utilizing the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines in Conflict-Affected and Low-Capacity Environments. (2019). UNIDIR, 118. Available at: https://unidir.org/files/publication/pdfs/utilizing-the-international-ammunition-technical-guidelines-in-conflict-affected-and-low-capacity-environments-en-749.pdf
2. Landmines, explosive remnants of war and ied safety handbook. New York (2015). UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), Dept. of Peacekeeping Operations, 128. Available at: https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3799237?v=pdf
3. Explosive Ordnance Guide for Ukraine. (2025). GICHD, 296. Available at: https://www.gichd.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Explosive_Ordnance_Guide_for_Ukraine__GICHD___Third_Edition.pdf
4. Nowak, P., Waddoups, R., Farrimond, D. et al. (2024). A fragmentation as-sessment method for submerged charges. 19th International Symposium on Interac-tion of the Effects of Munitions with Structures (ISIEMS), 09-13 Dec 2024. Bonn, ISIEMS, 12. Available at: https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/220930/1/Nowak ISIEMS%202024_Paper.pdf
5. Nowak, P., Waddoups, R., Gajewski, T. et al. (2026). Fragmentation analysis for underwater ordnance disposal. International Journal of Protective Structures, 29. doi:10.1177/20414196261421961
6. Seyhan, E., Cengiz, S. (2017). The crime scene reconstruction of the shrapnel effect on human body by two hand grenades detonated in a room: a case ap-proach. Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 7, 9, 10. doi: 10.1186/s41935-017-0011-0
7. Baker, W. E., Cox, P. A., Kulesz, J. J., Strehlow, R. A., Westine, P. S. (2012). Explosion Hazards and Evaluation ([edition unavailable]). Elsevier Science, 840. Available at: https://www.perlego.com/book/1874510/explosion-hazards-and-evaluation-pdf
8. Zhao, C., Wang, S., Guo, C., Liu, D., Ma, F. (2020). Experimental study on fragmentation of explosive loaded steel projectile. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 144, 103610. doi: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2020.103610
9. VP 7-07(01).01. Methodology for assessing the effectiveness of a high-explosive fragmentation projectile against ground targets. (2019). Sumy, Research Center of Missile Forces and Artillery, 59. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/hmkncn
10. Gianpietro, Del Piero. (2018). The variational structure of classical plasticity. Mathematics and Mechanics of Complex Systems, 6, 3, 137–180. doi: 10.2140/memocs.2018.6.137
11. Van, Weyenberge, B., Deckers, X., Caspeele, R. Bart, Merci. (2019). Devel-opment of an Integrated Risk Assessment Method to Quantify the Life Safety Risk in Buildings in Case of Fire. Fire Technology, 55, 1211–1242. doi: 10.1007/s10694-018-0763-6

Received by the editorial board: 10.03.2026

Accepted for publication: 13.04.2026

Date of publication (release): 31.05.2026