A Theoretical Study of Accidental Initiation of Encased High Explosive Charges by Gas Compression Mechanisms.
Abstract
Non-shock initiation of large encased High Explosive (HE) charges was theoretically investigated with idealized, yet realistic, models which consider the rapid closure of an air gap upon accidental drop of the device. Air void compression is one of the three fundamental thermal stimuli mechanisms that have been proposed for non-shock initiation of HE. The study considers this mechanism as applied to the initiation hazards of a large encased HE weapon system having an internal failure (a separation crack between HE and case or in the HE) and attempts to assess the likelihood of gap compression as a viable mechanism of initiation for the kinds of drop times, gap thickness, and HE physical and thermochemical properties that are likely to exist when a weapon is accidentally dropped. The work to date has investigated conductive distributed-temperature and radiative lumped-temperature thermal models. The calculations establish the possibility of gap initiation and establishes the ranges over which such mechanisms are likely to occur. (Author Modified Abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0758255
Entities
People
- Alan D. Randolph
- Kenneth O. Simpson
Organizations
- University of Arizona