Modelling Shock Initiation and Detonation in the Non-Ideal Explosive PBXW-115

Abstract

We analyze the detonics of the non-ideal explosive PBXW-115 (also called PBXN-111). Two chemical equilibrium codes were used to predict its ideal CJ state, with estimates of its ideal detonation velocity differing by over 1.3 mm microns. A small divergent detonation theory was calibrated to unconfined detonation velocity measurements, and used to describe the CJ state at different charge diameters. It was predicted that the detonation was being supported by about 15% reaction at the critical diameter, with the velocity about 1.7 mm microns-1 below the ideal value. A finite element hydrocode was used to simulate a variety of initiation and detonation tests, with the results generally in excellent agreement with the experimental data. It was found that many experimental techniques (including those for the measurement of ideal detonation velocity, CJ zone length, and Pop-plots) require substantially different interpretation for non-ideal explosives.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1993
Accession Number
ADA274756

Entities

People

  • David A. Jones
  • David L. Kennedy

Organizations

  • Defence Science and Technology Group

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Australia
  • Chemical Equilibrium
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Composite Propellants
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Detonations
  • Differential Equations
  • Energetic Materials
  • Equations
  • Experimental Data
  • Explosives
  • Geometry
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Measurement
  • Payload
  • Propellants

Readers

  • Combustion Dynamics and Shock Wave Physics.
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation