Fragment Hazard Investigation Program: Natural Communication Detonation of 155-mm Projectiles

Abstract

This report presents the experimental findings from the detonation by means of natural communication of Army M107 155-mm projectiles (TNT-loaded) stacked in various storage configurations. Projectile stacks ranging from one to 36 pallets were detonated. The ultimate goal of the program is to provide a methodology for the determination of quantity-distance safety standards for the safe and efficient storage of explosive-filled fragment producing munitions. In order to simplify the problem, various projectile stacks based on the standard storage pallet were detonated by means of natural communication in a series of small-scale (one pallet) fragmentation arena tests and large-scale (multiple pallet) tests designed for far-field fragment collection. A description of each test is discussed, and an analysis of the data is presented. A fragmentation model characterizing the detonation by means of natural communication of a pallet of 155-mm projectiles is presented and verified. From this model, a methodology was developed for the determination of far-field fragment hazards produced from the detonation by means of natural communication of open storage stacks of 155-mm projectiles. The significance of the methodology indicates that the quantity-distance standards for large stacks of ammunition can be determined from less expensive, less complex small-scale fragmentation arena tests.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1981
Accession Number
ADA108775

Entities

People

  • F. Mccleskey
  • J. G. Powell
  • W. D. Smith

Organizations

  • Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ammunition
  • Barometric Pressure
  • Cameras
  • Department Of Defense
  • Engineering
  • Explosions
  • Explosives
  • Materials
  • Motion Picture Cameras
  • Motion Pictures
  • Munitions
  • Munitions Testing
  • Projectiles
  • Research Facilities
  • Test Facilities
  • Test Methods
  • Weapons

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Munitions and Ordnance Engineering
  • ballistics.