FURTHER STUDIES ON SYMPATHETIC DETONATION
Abstract
Investigations were made into sympathetic detonation of ammonium nitrate (AN) and ammonium nitrate-fuel oil (AN-FO) to define the scaling law for safe separation from detonating AN-FO. Both missile- and non-missile-producing AN-FO donors, weighing up to 5,400 pounds, were employed with acceptors of the same size. The usual cube-root scaling law was not confirmed; exponents for the relationship S = f(W exp x) for AN were 0.51 with non-missile-producing donors and 0.61 for missile-producing donors. For AN-FO an exponent of 0.80 was indicated in the missile-producing case. AN-FO in polyethylene bags appeared somewhat more easily initiated than bulk AN-FO. The efficacy of barricades in protecting AN charges was investigated. Sympathetic detonation distances were reduced from one-third to one-seventh when sand-filled barricades were employed. The investigation was extended to boxed dynamite with both types of donors. With 1,600-pound missile-producing donors and an equivalent weight of dynamite, initiation would be expected in 50 percent of the trials at 167 feet. The corresponding value in the non-missile case was 67 feet. The data developed in this program of sympathetic detonation will allow the development of a rational set of safe separation distances for AN, AN-FO, and explosives.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0648832
Entities
People
- F. C. Gibson
- J. N. Murphy
- R. W. Van Dolah