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U.S. Department of Energy
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DESIGN OF RECTANGULAR UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES TO RESIST NUCLEAR WEAPONS (thesis)

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4832960

Design Parameters are presented for the design of shallow (5 to 2 ft below grade) underground shelters of rectangular shape for protection against air burst or high surface burst nuclear weapons. Problems presented by dynamic blast loads that change rapidly with time, the design of entrances to withstand and keep out harmful blast pressures, and protection from the initial nuclear radiation and heat are considered. Data are included on blast wave phenomena, loading on underground structures, the seismic velocity of various soils, overpressure in the region of regular reflection, characteristics of nuclear and thermal radiations from nuclear explosions, biological effects of radiation, sheilding materials, structural dynamics, and transformation fuctors and dynamic reaction equations for a simple beam. A preliminary design procedure is presented that eliminates the necessity of performing a numerical integration on each trial section. The method makes use of several non-dimensional parameters that are expressed graphically in charts for idealized loading and resistance functions. The method is applied in the design of several members for an underground structure. (C.H.)

Research Organization:
Colorado. Univ., Boulder
NSA Number:
NSA-16-017907
OSTI ID:
4832960
Report Number(s):
AD-264553
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English