An Analysis of the Characteristics of Rayleigh Waves Produced by Surface Explosions.
Abstract
The successful deployment of an MX missile system requires a careful consideration of ground shock effects which were of secondary importance in previous applications. For example, with the system sited in a valley and under a multiple attack scenario, untargeted points can be expected to experience a significant ground motion environment as a result of the superposition of motions originating from attacks on a variety of surrounding aimpoints. Furthermore, reflections of outgoing energy from the valley boundaries can be expected to complicate the ground motion environment within the valley, particularly at late times. The objective of the work described in this report has been to develop a better quantitative understanding of these late-time, long-period ground motions in order to provide a firmer basis for scaling to new geologic conditions. Particular emphasis has been placed on the identification of the characteristic mode of propagation associated with these arrivals. A theoretical model is described which has been used to compute the surface waves produced by a propagating airblast load acting on the surface of a multilayered, elastic half-space. This model was then applied to the analyses of both the observed data and finite difference simulations of the Pre-Mine Throw and Pre-Dice Throw 100 tone HE surface blasts. In addition, a preliminary assessment has been made of the influence of valley boundaries on the late-time ground motion environment within the valley.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 31, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA091806
Entities
People
- J. R. Murphy