SPECTRA OF GROUND SHOCKS PRODUCED BY NUCLEAR DETONATIONS

Technical Report · Mon Aug 17 04:00:00 EDT 1959

OSTI ID:4832375

Halsey, J F; Barton, M V

Seif-contained mechanical reed gages, capable of measuring the displacement shock spectrum over a frequency range of 3 to 300 cps in any one direction, were placed on Bursts Stokes, Smoky, Galileo, Whitney, and Charleston. Canisters cortaining the gages were normally placed with tops flush to the ground level at predicted pressure levels of approximately 100 psi; however, on Smoky two additional gages were placed on the floor of an earth-coveredpersonnel shelter, and two gages were installed on a concrete block for Whitney. A composite p1ot of the results of surface gages from Smoky, Galileo, and Whitney (overpressures from 116 to 146 psi) indicates some very definite trends. The displacements are two to three times higher at three cps for the vertical component (3 in. to 5.5 in.) than for the radial component (1 in. to 2 in.). The rate of decrease of displacement with increasing frequency is greater for the vertical component than for the radial component. A comparison of the results from the surface gages and those within the structure and Smoky indicates an attenuation factor of three for vertical displacements, with no appreciable change in the radial direction. (auth)

• Research Organization: Air Force Ballistic Missile Div., Inglewood, Calif.
• NSA Number: NSA-16-002837
• OSTI ID: 4832375
• Report Number(s): WT-1487
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CONCRETES
FREQUENCY
GAGES
GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
MEASURED VALUES
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
PERSONNEL
PRESSURE
RADIATIONS
SHELTERS
SHOCK WAVES
SPECTRA
SURFACES
VESSELS