Journal Article

Investigating injuries caused by the blunt impact of non-lethal frangible projectiles using numerical simulations

Shi, Junjie, Liu, Kun, Chen, Yankun, Wu, Zhilin, Kang, Bao, Feng, Ying

2026

Overview

Non-lethal kinetic projectiles have the potential to cause excessive harm or fatalities when fired from a close range. To address this issue, a 18.4 mm non-lethal frangible kinetic projectile was designed. The projectile uses polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as the shell material and it is filled with oleoresin capsicum (OC) powder as an incapacitating agent. Gelatine was selected as the material for the human simulant target, and LS-DYNA software was employed to conduct numerical simulations of the impact process of both the frangible kinetic projectile and the Type-97 18.4 mm rubber projectile on the target. The simulations analysed the projectile velocity, displacement, and pressure changes within the target by comparing the wounding effectiveness. Using the multiparameter synchronous measurement technology, experiments were conducted to impact a target using both types of projectiles. The results showed that the numerical simulations were consistent with the experimental observations, effectively reproducing the projectile impact process and wounding effects. Compared to a traditional rubber projectile, the frangible kinetic projectile reduced the initial velocity and kinetic energy upon impact. By fragmenting upon impact, the projectile increased the contact area, absorbed part of the impact energy, increased the duration of the effect of the impact, and decreased both the displacement of the projectile and the peak internal pressure within the target, resulting in a more gradual pressure change. When used in close-range shooting, the projectile shell breaks to release the OC powder, achieving personnel control through chemical stimulation and avoiding fatal injuries to the target. This research provides theoretical references and technical support for the optimised design of non-lethal weapon systems. •A non-lethal frangible kinetic projectile is designed.•Numerical simulations are conducted on the impact process of frangible kinetic projectiles and the Type −97 18.4 mm rubber projectiles against gelatin targets, and the injury effects are compared.•Results from the numerical simulation are virtually consistent with experimental results.•The non-lethal frangible kinetic projectile can release internal OC powder upon the fragmentation of its casing, utilizing chemical stimulation to achieve personnel control while avoiding fatal injuries to the target.

• Publisher: Elsevier B.V,Elsevier Limited
• Subject: Blunt impact / Computer Simulation / Counterterrorism / Criminal investigations / Deformation / Dimensional analysis / Energy / Experiments / Forensic Ballistics / Frangible kinetic projectile / Gelatin / Gelatine / Humans / Impact analysis / Injuries / Injury prevention / Internal pressure / Kinetic energy / Models, Biological / Non-lethal / Oleoresins / Polymethyl methacrylate / Polymethylmethacrylate / Pressure / Projectiles / Rubber / Rubber projectile / Simulation / Skin / Trauma / Traumatic brain injury / Velocity / Weapon systems / Weapons / Wounding / Wounding effect / Wounds, Gunshot