Nonlinear Ground Motion from a Megaton Near Surface Nuclear Explosion,
Abstract
This report presents finite difference calculations of the ground motions from a one-megaton near-surface nuclear explosion over a saturated soil. These calculations are unique in that they were carried out to a time of 3.26 sec so that the motions could be computed at ranges at which the soil response was linearly elastic. Having a detailed specification of the explosion-induced ground motion on cylindrical monitoring surfaces in the elastic regime, analytical techniques from elasticity will be applied to continue the ground motion through layered earth models out to ranges of 10 to 500 km. The finite difference calculations were initialized at 0.8 msec using results of the Source 3/5 ground coupling calculation which incorporates a detailed model of the nuclear device mass, materials and dimensions. The ground motions were computed out to 5.0 msec in an Eulerian hydrodynamic code and then transferred to the Lagrangian CRAM stress wave code containing appropriate constitutive models, shear failure, tension failure, etc. A bowl-shaped crater was calculated with a cratering efficiency of 37 cu ft/ton of explosive energy, a factor of 5 or 6 smaller than given by empirical scaling formulae based on Pacific nuclear tests.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA090019
Entities
People
- Eldon J. Halda
- J. Theodore Cherry
- Norton Rimer
Organizations
- Utility Systems Science and Software (United States)