Accession Number:

ADA995247

Title:

OPERATION SNAPPER, Nevada Proving Grounds. Project 8.5. Incendiary Effects of Atomic Bomb Tests on Building Sections at Yucca Flat

Descriptive Note:

Rept. for Apr-Jun 1952

Corporate Author:

FOREST PRODUCTS LAB MADISON WI

Personal Author(s):

• Bruce, H. D.

Report Date:

1952-10-01

Pagination or Media Count:

58.0

Abstract:

Sections simulating four types of frame building structures were exposed to TUMBLER Shots 3 and 4. The four types were 1 cubicle room with furnishings, 2 wall-corner, 3 cornice-corner, and 4 roof. Sections 2 and 3 were exposed with and without a fine flash fuel. Douglas-fir springwood was charred at least slightly out to about 13,000 feet radiant exposure 5.1 calcm2 by Shot 4. Sustained burning, either as glowing or flaming, took place only in fine fuels. It was concluded that the flash of radiant energy from an atomic explosion will set sustained primary fire in fine fuel, but in general not in more massive fuels such as lumber and plywood. It is recommended that field study of primary fires on building structures be confined to fine fuels to ascertain the conditions under which they become ignited to self-sustaining fire and to such other shapes and materials as may be shown by laboratory experimentation to be a possible fuel for sustained primary fire.

Descriptors:

• *BUILDINGS
• *NUCLEAR EXPLOSION DAMAGE
• NUCLEAR EXPLOSION TESTING
• COMBUSTION
• FUELS
• IGNITION
• FIRES
• PLYWOOD
• LUMBER
• CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
• NEVADA
• ROOFS
• INCENDIARY EFFECTS
• NUCLEAR FLASH

Subject Categories:

• Combustion and Ignition

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE