Abstract: The fracture path of shell caused by the axial groove and circumferential groove is analyzed to study the explosion mass loss rate of pre-formed fragment warhead shell with symmetric groove. The source of explosive mass loss is determined. The explosion mass loss rate of typical warhead shell is calculated in theory. Two kinds of simulated warhead were designed, and the static explosion test was carried out under water. The test results and theoretical analysis show that, in the process of explosion, the axial groove on the shell causes two symmetrical fracture traces from the groove root, the circumferential groove on the shell causes only one fracture trace from the groove root. The explosion mass loss rate of shell is caused by axial groove. The greater the groove depth is, the smaller the mass loss rate of shell explosion is. The difference between theoretically calculated and experimental mass loss rates is less than 8%. Key

Key words: warhead, fragment, symmetricgroove, masslossrate, fracturetrace, groovedepth