Free-field Ground Motion Induced by Underground Explosions at Aqueduct Mesa with Predictions for Physical Experiment One (PE1)

Technical Report · Fri Mar 13 04:00:00 EDT 2020

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1605054· OSTI ID:1605054

Ford, Sean R. ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

We fit standard power-law models for ground acceleration and particle velocity using scaled ground motion observations from underground nuclear explosions at Aqueduct Mesa on the Nevada National Security Site. The models are then validated using small-scale high-explosive (HE) test data from nearby Rainier Mesa. The comparison between model predictions and observations is good and can be made more favorable if the assumed yield for the HE tests are doubled. Further validation is made with a numerical experiment that additionally shows a transition in ground motion attenuation to elastic propagation (1 = r). An extended model is provided to incorporate the long-range transition in attenuation, which results in increased ground motions at farther range. We then make predictions for the field experiment, Physical Experiment One (PE1), to take place in P-tunnel on Aqueduct Mesa, and suggest that the models could be used in planning various operations for PE1.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC52-07NA27344
• OSTI ID: 1605054
• Report Number(s): LLNL-TR--807158; 1010972
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING