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Airblast predictions with meteorological and microbarograph measurements. Project DIRECT COURSE

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7136252

Recent explosion tests have demonstrated elements of anomalous behavior, in both airblast propagation and cloud growth, that could not be easily explained by routinely available meteorological observations made at shot time. To better detail the near-field atmospheric structure during DIRECT COURSE tests at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), additional measurement systems were employed in hope of aiding interpretation of any further anomalies that might occur. Besides regular WSMR rawinsonde balloon (raob) measurements launched from SOTIM-3 site, WSMR also provided a mobile 23 m meteorological tower equipped for continuous recording of wind and temperature at three levels. Sandia operated its Tethersonde to give a succession of ascending and descending recordings of wind, temperature, moisture, and pressure heights to above 800 m above ground. Finally, an experimental Doppler-laser remote sensing system was operated by NOAA, with results given in another presentation at this symposium. As with other large explosion tests, a weather-watch and blast prediction service was provided during the countdown, to provide warning to the Test Director of any possible damaging or hazardous airblast propagations to great distances. Six microbarograph (MB) stations were operated in various communities to document the actual airblast wave passage, for use in verifying predictions as well as in validation or rejection of any damage claims that resulted.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
7136252
Report Number(s):
SAND-84-0297C; CONF-8404129-1; ON: DE84009932
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English