ON CRATERING: A Brief History, Analysis, and Theory of Cratering
Cratering is a subject that has been studied by many investigators for many years for many purposes. These purposes range from experimental studies of physical properties to large scale excavations using explosive charges of kiloton size. In the past ten years considerable effort has been devoted to cratering experiments for the purposes of determining the effects of cratering by nuclear explosions, with recent accent on Plowshare applications. From the large amount of data available for craters in alluvian has been possible to establish very reliable relationships between charge size, depth of bursty crater radii, and crater depths. In addition it has been possible to construct a preliminary theory of the mechanics of explosive crater formation. The available experimental data for nuclear and high explosive craters are reviewed, with particular emphasis on the data for desert alluvium, and the pertinent relationships are derived. A theory of the important cratering mechanisms, which has been evolved on the basis of these data and data from other sources, is outlined. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- California. Univ., Livermore. Lawrence Radiation Lab.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-031917
- OSTI ID:
- 4832351
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-6578
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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