Analysis of Two Decoupled Explosion Simulations

Abstract

Two axisymmetric ground motion calculations were carried out by Applied Theory, Incorporated to simulate 25 kt decoupled nuclear explosions in mined cavities in salt. One cavity was spherical with a radius of 66 meters while the other was a 3/1 aspect ratio ellipsoid of revolution. Both had the same volume. Results of the two calculations were analyzed to determine the character of the teleseismic body and surface waves. The spherically symmetric portion of the field is slightly (20-25%) smaller for the spherical cavity. Compared to results of tamped explosions, the decoupling factor for this case is about 140 at one Hertz. The radiation from the ellipsoidal cavity is substantially perturbed from spherical symmetry; the maximum S wave amplitudes are nearly three times as large as maximum P wave amplitudes at 1.0 Hz. However, theoretical body and surface wave seismograms indicate that the M sub B and M sub S values are not substantially different for the two cavities.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1978
Accession Number
ADA061006

Entities

People

  • J. F. Masso
  • Thomas C. Bache

Organizations

  • Utility Systems Science and Software (United States)

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aspect Ratio
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Earth Models
  • Explosions
  • Far Field
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Domain
  • Geometry
  • Materials
  • Nuclear Explosions
  • Radiation
  • Radiation Patterns
  • Rayleigh Waves
  • Surface Waves
  • Time Domain
  • Wave Propagation
  • Waves

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Seismology
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.