Accession Number:

ADA056665

Title:

A Study of the Flow Field Induced by an Explosion Near the Ground

Descriptive Note:

Technical note

Corporate Author:

DEFENCE RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT SUFFIELDRALSTON (ALBERTA)

Personal Author(s):

• Anderson, J. H.

Report Date:

1978-04-01

Pagination or Media Count:

29.0

Abstract:

An experiment is described in which an attempt was made to investigate the phenomenology of an airburst explosion, in particular those phenomena related to the interaction of the blast wave with the ground beneath the charge. The experiment was conducted under free-field conditions using a 493 kg 1086 lb TNT charge suspended 21.9 metres 72 feet above the ground. The primary instrumentation was photographic, using shadow techniques to record the trajectories of the shock fronts and smoke puff tracers to record the trajectories of individual air elements entrained in the blast wave. The analysis of the particle trajectories was based on the technique originally proposed by Dewey. However, the analysis was re-worked to account for cylindrical rather than spherical symmetry, and extened to account for more than one shock wave. Using this analysis, it was possible to completely describe the development of the blast wave in both space and time in the region investigated. Details of the experimental and analytical techniques are given. The latest results of the analysis of the particle trajectories are presented, and several interesting phenomena are identified related to the reflection of the blast wave from the ground.

Descriptors:

• *AIRBURST
• *EXPLOSION EFFECTS
• EXPERIMENTAL DATA
• SYMPOSIA
• SHOCK WAVES
• CANADA
• BLAST WAVES
• OVERPRESSURE
• SMOKE
• HEIGHT OF BURST
• PARTICLE TRAJECTORIES
• HIGH SPEED PHOTOGRAPHY

Subject Categories:

• Explosions

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE