OPERATION SNAPPER, PROJECT 8.1, EFFECTS OF ATOMIC EXPLOSIONS ON FOREST FUELS
Abstract
Project 8.1 was designed to determine minimum thermal energies required to ignite common forest fuels, to determine blast-wave effect on persistence of ignition, and to provide field data against which laboratory source tests could be scaled. Prepared fuel beds of conifer needles, hardwood leaves, grasses, and rotten wood were exposed in Operation SNAPPER to total energies varying from 1 to 22 cal/sq cm. Thickness and density of fuel particles were determined prior to the test. Fuel moisture at shot time was measured in duplicate fuel beds, similarly located but outside the test area. Post-test fuel examinations showed that punky materials and fine grasses ignited and continued to burn at distances from ground zero where total thermal energy was approximately 3 cal/sq cm. Following Shots 3 and 4 punky materials were still burning upon recovery at H+2 hours.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1952
- Accession Number
- AD0648231
Entities
People
- Keith Arnold