Air Shock Pressure-Time vs Distance
Abstract
The Tumbler series of airbursts was designed primarily to obtain pressure measurements useful in constructing an experimental, rather than solely theoretical or extrapolated, height-of-burst chart for atomic weapons. Also, peak pressures observed on Operation Buster were much lower than had been anticipated, and their verification by further tests was indicated. Specifically the Tumbler series was planned: (1) to provide pressure data from the burst of a 1.2-kt weapon at a height comparable to that of Buster Shot Baker but over a different type of terrain to determine whether definite differences in pressure would be observed as a result of changed thermal reflection coefficients and dust conditions; (2) to provide pressure data from bursts of 1.2- and 31-kt weapons at nearly equal scaled heights, making it possible to establish whether the scaling law is applicable to this range of yields at a scaled burst height of 1000 feet; (3) to provide pressure-distance data from a greater scaled height of burst than had been used on any previous experiment; (4) to burst a weapon under conditions simulating as nearly as possible those of the Buster Shot Charlie. At comparable scaled distances pressures measured on Operation Tumbler were somewhat higher than those from the Buster series although peak pressures were lower than would have been anticipated from predictions based on height-of- burst charts published prior to Operation Buster. The scaling law appears to be applicable, at least for yields ranging from 1-30-kt at a scaled burst height of 1000 feet (or higher).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1952
- Accession Number
- AD0514321
Entities
People
- B. F. Murphey