Reverse vortex flow in near-surface explosions

Technical Report · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5898202· OSTI ID:5898202

Jones, E M; Whitaker, R W

Nuclear explosions conducted near the ground surface but higher than about 5 to 6 m/kt/sup 1/3/ produce a reverse flow (downward along the symmetry axis) after the shock wave is reflected from the ground. This reverse flow persists until destroyed by the buoyant rise of the fireball on time scales of several seconds. Six calculations of bursts with scaled heights-of-burst ranging upward from 15 m/kt/sup 1/3/ are described. The height of the reverse flow is a simple function of the burst height and explosion yield.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5898202
• Report Number(s): LA-8947-MS; ON: DE82001886
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450200* -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Nuclear Explosions & Explosives
AIR
BLAST EFFECTS
DATA
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EXPLOSIONS
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
GASES
INFORMATION
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
NUMERICAL DATA
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
SHOCK WAVES
SURFACE EXPLOSIONS
THEORETICAL DATA
VORTEX FLOW