Accession Number:

AD0744243

Title:

Finite Amplitude Propagation of an Underwater Explosion Shock Wave Out to a Convergence-Zone Caustic

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

NAVAL ORDNANCE LAB WHITE OAK MD

Personal Author(s):

• Goertner, John F.

Report Date:

1972-05-08

Pagination or Media Count:

26.0

Abstract:

The effect of wave overtaking on the peak pressure of refracted underwater explosion shock waves is estimated by a method-0f-characteristics calculation. The results show that considerably greater attenuation of the peak pressure occurs as a shock wave travels out to a convergence-zone caustic in the ocean than is experienced by a non-refracted shock wave traveling the same distance. Depending on the explosion conditions, taking account of this additional attenuation can reduce the predicted peak pressure in the vicinity of the caustic by as much as 30. The report provides a simple method for estimating this effect for particular conditions using routinely available output data from ray tracing programs.

Descriptors:

• *UNDERWATER EXPLOSIONS
• VELOCITY
• PROPAGATION
• SHOCK WAVES
• THERMOCLINES
• SEA WATER
• NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
• SOUND

Subject Categories:

• Explosions

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE