Blast Tests of Expedient Shelters in the DICE THROW Event,
Abstract
To determine the worst blast environments that eight types of expedient shelters can withstand, we subjected a total of 18 shelters to the 1-kiloton blast effects of Defense Nuclear Agency's DICE THROW main event. These expedient shelters included two Russian and two Chinese types. The best shelter tested was a Small-Pole Shelter that had a box-like room of Russian design with ORNL-designed expedient blast entries and blast doors added. It was undamaged at the 53-psi peak overpressure range; the pressure rise inside was only 1.5 psi. Expedient shelters of the types tested - especially if the ones with shored walls are equipped with blast doors - would afford better protection against the blast and fire effects of nuclear weapons and much better fallout protection than do all but a small fraction of existing buildings. Water storage pits lined with ordinary plastic trash bags were proven practical at up to 53 psi, as were triangular expedient blast doors made of poles.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA052913
Entities
People
- Conrad V. Chester
- Cresson H. Kearny
Organizations
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory