Air-blast phenomena as affected by terrain

Technical Report · Fri Dec 06 04:00:00 EST 1957

OSTI ID:6293928

Swift, L M; Sachs, D C

The objective of Project 1.8c was to obtain data on effects of gross variations of terrain upon a blast wave produced by nuclear explosion, particularly at ground ranges of importance to moderately hard targets. On Shot Smoky (48 kt, 700-foot height of burst), total-head pressure, pitot-tube dynamic pressure, and overpressure were measured: (1) on both sides of a ridge that rose 280 feet to a crest about 2,600 feet from ground zero and (2) at several equivalent ground ranges along relatively smooth terrain. A precursor formed over both flat and ridge blast lines. The wave forms are not pure types and do not lend themselves to definite classification. Surface-level wave-front-propagation velocities indicate enhanced thermal effects on the front slope of the ridge and a strong diffraction effect as the wave passed over the top of the ridge. Generally, the ridge appeared to provide no real protection from overpressure, with increased overpressures noted on the front face and near the bottom of the back slope. However, the ridge appeared to offer considerable protection to drag-sensitive targets along the back slope and at the foot of the back slope. No significant pressure spikes were observed on the ridge line; the precursor-type blast wave probably prohibited this effect.

• Research Organization: Stanford Research Inst., Menlo Park, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6293928
• Report Number(s): AD-337904
• 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
BLAST EFFECTS
EXPLOSIONS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
PRESSURE GAGES
SHOCK WAVES
TOPOGRAPHY
VARIATIONS