Research study of ejecta impact parameters. Final report

Technical Report · Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1973

OSTI ID:7312325

Impact tests were performed to investigate survivability of proposed BMD structural materials to fallout debris from a nuclear surface burst. The materials evaluated included: 1.0-in. thick 060-T651 aluminum; 2.5-in. thick epoxy fiber glass; 0.5-in. thick T-1 steel; and 24-in. thick concrete. A specially designed powder gun was utilized to project sandstone missiles weighing 10-, 25-, and 50-lb each at the specified targets. The impact velocity for the 10- and 25-lb projectiles was nominally 300 fps and the 50-lb projectiles impacted at velocities near, but exceeding , 200 fps. The damage incurred in the targets as result of impact was negligible. Thinner plates (0.375- and 0.25-in. thick) of T-1 steel and mild steel were impacted to determine the penetrating capability of a 50-lb sandstone cube. Both 0.25-in. thick plates were penetrated while the 0.375-in. thick plates were only dented. A fiber glass panel 0.94-in. thick was also penetrated by the 50-lb projectile. These tests indicate that sandstone debris in these sizes is a minimal threat to BMD structures although stronger material such as granite has shown considerably more penetration capability in previous tests at MDAC. It is also apparent that previously established predictive data for granite would not apply for materials with less strength than granite such as sandstone.

• Research Organization: McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co., Huntington Beach, CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: DACA39-72-C-0015
• OSTI ID: 7312325
• Report Number(s): AD-A-038106; MDC-G-4808
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
ALUMINIUM
IMPACT TESTS
CONCRETES
GLASS
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
STEELS
CRATERING EXPLOSIONS
FALLOUT
GUNS
MISSILES
SURFACE EXPLOSIONS
ALLOYS
BUILDING MATERIALS
ELEMENTS
EXPLOSIONS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
MATERIALS
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICAL TESTS
METALS
TESTING
450200* - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense- Nuclear Explosions & Explosives