EVALUATION OF BURIED CORRUGATED-STEEL ARCH STRUCTURES AND ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS

Technical Report · Tue Feb 28 00:00:00 EST 1961

OSTI ID:4798990

Albright, G H; Beck, E J; LeDoux, J C; Mitchell, R A

Three underground corrugated-steel arch structures covered with 5 feet of earth were subjected to peak overpressures of 60 and 100 psi during Burst Priscilla at the Nevada Test Site. Essentially, it was desired to assure that Department of Defense Class Il (50-psi overpressure and comparable radiations) protection is afforded by two types of 25-foot diameter, 180-degree corrugated- metal arches. Free-field overpressure was measured at the ground surface above the structures, along with pressure inside each structure, acceleration of the floor slab, arch deflection relative to the floor slab, and gamma and neutron radiation dose inside each structure. Dust was measured inside one structure. All arch structures provided adequate Class II protection for the conditions of the test. One arch structure, reinforced with steel arch ribs, withstood 100psi overpressure (333-msec positive-phase duration) with no significant damage other than a cracked floor slab. A blast closure valve was tested in the ventilating system of one structure. Operation was satisfactory during the positive-pressure phase, but the valve leaked excessively during the negative-pressure phase. Prototype pits designed to partially shield emergency power generator sets against blast, missiles, and thermal radiation damage were tested to determine their adequacy. Damage assessment indicated significant but inadequate protection at the overpressures to which the generator sets were exposed. (auth)

• Research Organization: Bureau of Yards and Docks; and Naval Civil Engineering Lab., Port Hueneme, Calif.
• NSA Number: NSA-16-009032
• OSTI ID: 4798990
• Report Number(s): WT-1422
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Project 3.3 of OPERATION PLUMBBOB. Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-62
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

HEALTH AND SAFETY
AIR
COATING
CONFIGURATION
CRACKS
DECONTAMINATION
DUSTS
EARTH
FAILURES
GAMMA RADIATION
GENERATORS
IRRADIATION
LEAKS
MATERIALS TESTING
MISSILES
NEUTRONS
NEVADA TEST SITE
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
POWER
PRESSURE
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION PROTECTION
SAFETY
SHELTERS
SHIELDING
SOILS
STEELS
SURFACES
TESTING
THERMAL RADIATION
VALVES
VENTILATION