An Attempt to Isolate the Blast Phenomena Which Contribute Most to the Earth-Wall Failure of Excavations
Abstract
A 100-ton high-explosive test at the Suffield Experimental Station is described. The objectives were: (1) to obtain an insight into the blast phenomena which contribute most to the failure of earth walls of excavations and (2) to determine the vulnerability of the two-man foxhole to blast considering the soil type existing at the Canadian test site. To accomplish these objectives, 11 test excavations were exposed to the blast at overpressure ranges of 15 psi, 25 psi, and 30 psi. The report concludes: (a) Damage to foxholes at the 15-psi overpressure level indicates that the incident blast wave and its reflections in the excavation are primarily responsible for earth-wall damage. (b) Damage to foxholes at the 25-psi overpressure level indicates that air-induced ground shock may be an important factor in earth-wall failure. (c) In the soil existing at the Canadian test site, the standard two-man foxhole showed, qualitatively, a high resistance to collapse from peak overpressures ranging up to 30 psi.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 26, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0288674
Entities
People
- Andrew J. Romano
- James E. Stilwell
Organizations
- United States Army Engineer Research and Development Laboratory