An Assessment of the Performance of the Original and Modified Versions of the Forest Fire Explosive Initiation Model

Abstract

The Forest Fire explosive initiation model is useful because it can be calibrated from readily available sensitivity data. However, assumptions used in the Forest Fire derivation limit its accuracy and applicability. Present computations show that, while Forest Fire adequately predicts run to detonation for sustained-shock loading, it is grossly in error when applied to pulsed-shock loading. On the other hand, it exhibits some qualitatively correct results for finite-rate compression or ramp-wave loading. Several relatively simple modifications which extend the applicability of Forest Fire have been developed. These include improved mixture modeling, use of a higher order reactive Hugoniot to describe ignition, and incorporation of surface area burning into the reaction rate model. These modifications significantly affect the predicted response to pulsed-shock loading. Combining surface burning with a quadratic reactive Hugoniot provides a significantly improved representation of response to pulsed-shock stimulus.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1994
Accession Number
ADA277888

Entities

People

  • John Starkenberg

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Combustion
  • Computational Science
  • Computations
  • Detonations
  • Differential Equations
  • Energetic Materials
  • Equations
  • Equations Of State
  • Explosives
  • Fires
  • Flow Fields
  • Forest Fires
  • Ignition
  • Materials
  • Payload
  • Wave Propagation

Readers

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