Yearly report for the period Jan. 2018 – Jan. 2019 IC Project: w17_unedetection - “Simulation of underground nuclear explosions using the combined finite discrete element method” and “Fracture Formation and Permeability Evolution at in situ Pressure, Temperature and Stress Conditions”

Technical Report · Thu Mar 07 04:00:00 EST 2019

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1499295· OSTI ID:1499295

Rougier, Esteban ^[1]; Knight, Earl E. ^[1]; Euser, Bryan Jeffry ^[1]

---

1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Understanding the underlying physical processes associated with an underground nuclear explosion (UNE) can help with detection and identification of a suspected event. The Underground Nuclear Explosion Signatures Experiment (UNESE) is a collaborative effort between national laboratories aimed towards improving our understanding of physical and radiochemical signatures associated with a UNE. One primary objective of this effort is to perform hydrodynamic modeling of a UNE, with the purpose of estimating the extent of damage caused by such an event. Estimating the damage associated with an event is important for: a) detection of possible physical signatures at the surface of the earth such as fractures, spallation, and cratering and (b) damage to subsurface structures such as tunnels. Additionally, the damage produced by the hydrodynamic models play can be used to inform subsurface flow and transport models. The Combined Finite-Discrete Element Method (FDEM), implemented as an in-house code known as HOSS (Hybrid Optimization Software Suite), is used to model the damage associated with a UNE in various geological settings.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: 89233218CNA000001
• OSTI ID: 1499295
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--19-22032
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING