Accession Number:

AD0653741

Title:

REFRACTION OF UNDERWATER EXPLOSION SHOCK WAVES: PRESSURE HISTORIES MEASURED AT CAUSTICS IN A FLOODED QUARRY

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

NAVAL ORDNANCE LAB WHITE OAK MD

Personal Author(s):

• Barash, Robert M.
• Goertner, Jean A.

Report Date:

1967-04-19

Pagination or Media Count:

111.0

Abstract:

High explosive charges were fired in a flooded quarry having a refractive sound velocity structure, in order to observe shock wave pressure histories at caustics, or focal surfaces. For such regions, present theoretical understanding and conventional acoustic ray-tracing techniques are inadequate. Peak pressure amplification factors up to 5.8 were measured the smaller the charge, the more extreme the focusing. Energy flux density was also enhanced, but impulse per unit area was relatively unaffected.

Descriptors:

• *UNDERWATER EXPLOSIONS
• *SHOCK WAVES
• HIGH EXPLOSIVE AMMUNITION
• ACOUSTICS
• REFRACTION
• ENERGY
• PROPAGATION
• PRESSURE

Subject Categories:

• Explosions

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE