INTENSE EXPLOSIONS AT THE OCEAN SURFACE.
Abstract
This work describes an approximate solution to the problem of an intense point-source explosion at the interface separating two different fluids; in particular, it is applied to a nuclear explosion initiated on the surface of the ocean. Of special interest is the position of the deformed ocean surface as a function of time during the initial phase of the explosion. The gasdynamic equations of motion for an inviscid fluid with no heat conductivity are written in terms of the vertical angle. The formulation of the governing equations in terms of this similarity variable is possible because only two parameters of independent dimensions enter the problem; that is, the charge energy and the density of the medium into which the blast propagates. The present solution is valid for the early phase of the explosion, during which the counterpressure remains insignificant. A maximum shock radius maybe computed, up to which the explosion remains sufficiently intense to satisfy this condition. It is found that the influence of the free surface on the vacuum interface propagated in the water is confined to a 45 degree sector adjacent to the original free surface. Below this, the vacuum surface retains very nearly its spherical form. This picture of the flow field form is seen to be in good qualitative agreement with the type of flow fields calculated by Brode and Bjork for a megaton burst on the surface of the earth. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0800347
Entities
People
- Richard L Collins
Organizations
- University of California, Berkeley