Detonation-product behavior at large expansion: the underwater detonation of nitromethane. [KOEOP code]

Technical Report · Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:6316761

Helm, Jr, F H; Chambers, E S; Lee, E; Finger, M; McGuire, R R; Mahler, J P; Cheung, H; Cramer, J L

The expanding product gases of the explosive used in rock fracturing, cratering, and air or underwater explosions do work on the surroundings even at relatively low pressures. To characterize explosives for these applications it is necessary to obtain an almost complete expansion history. An underwater test which was used to measure the shock-wave travel and gas bubble resulting from the detonation of 2 kg of nitromethane is described. The bubble expansion was photographically measured to a volume of about 80 times the initial volume of the shell. These experimental measurements compared well with those calculated by a one-dimensional hydrodynamic program, KOELAS. KOELAS also provided data to assist in the calculation of the apparent position of the shell containing the explosive, using refractive index gradients and the bubble position as a function of time. A method for estimating optical ray paths penetrating the expanding shock front and a modification to a streaking camera that permits stable operation at low rotor speeds are described. The expansion exhibited a minimum pressure of 2 MPa (20 bars), an amount in the range of rock blasting applications, underwater explosions, and rock fracturing or cratering.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6316761
• Report Number(s): UCRL-52903; ON: DE81030468
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
COMPUTER CODES
K CODES
NITROMETHANE
UNDERWATER EXPLOSIONS
PHOTOGRAPHY
SHOCK WAVES
BUBBLES
COMPUTER CALCULATIONS
DETONATIONS
EQUATIONS OF STATE
EXPANSION
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
GAS YIELDS
HYDRODYNAMICS
OPTICS
STREAK PHOTOGRAPHY
WAVE PROPAGATION
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
COMMINUTION
EQUATIONS
EXPLOSIONS
EXPLOSIVES
FLUID MECHANICS
FRACTURING
MECHANICS
NITRO COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
YIELDS
450100* - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense- Chemical Explosions & Explosives