GROUND SHOCK AND THE SURVIVAL OF THE CONTENTS OF PERSONNEL SHELTERS. RESISTANCE OF HUMAN AND INANIMATE CONTENTS OF HARDENED SHELTERS TO NUCLEAR- INDUCED GROUND MOTION
Abstract
The study investigated the potential hazard created by ground motion from a nearby nuclear explosion to people and equipment inside a hardened personnel or civil defense command and control shelter which itself withstands both the airblast and ground shock. Data on the fragility levels of people and equipment were extrapolated from experiments in other environments using the concepts of the simple harmonic oscillator and the steady-state, one-dimensional shock wave. Results indicated that a general population can be sheltered in a 50-psi environment but that some bodily injury may occur, chiefly caused by loss of balance. Protective postures (bent knees, prone forms, etc.) will offer greater resistance to damage-inducing motions than will standing. Low impedance covering should be installed on shelter walls and floors and sharp edges eliminated to minimize bodily injury to toppling forms. Small pieces of equipment appear to be able to survive up to 50 psi, but large pieces of equipment may be susceptible to damage below a frequency between 10 and 50 Hz, depending on overpressure. Hardmounting of equipment in shelters is recommended as well as wider use of drop and variable duration tests to simulate ground motion effects on equipment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0832639
Entities
People
- J. R. Rempel
Organizations
- SRI International