Quantity Distances for Ammunition in ISO Containers
Abstract
This study was conducted to (a) develop realistic estimates of the safety hazard ranges (i.e., quantity distances, or "QD's") for accidental explosions of ammunition in ISO shipping containers, and (b) investigate methods for reducing QD's for ammunition containers at temporary storage sites. The QD's of interest are the Inhabited Building Distance (IBD), Public Traffic Route distance (HR), and Intermagazine Distance (IMD). QD's were established for the U.S. Army's49 current Strategic Configured Loads (SCL's), as examples of mixed ammo loads. Phase 1 of the study was an analytical effort, in which QD's were calculated using accepted analytical methods. The calculated IBD's and PIR's for the 49 SCL's generally ranged from 30 to 80 percent less than those derived from the current U.S. and NATO safety standards. IMD's were similarly reduced, ranging from about 50 to 75 percent less than those indicated by current standards. Phase 2 was a test program to verify the reduction in safe separation distance (MD's) between ammunition containers, and to evaluate the effectiveness of sand-filled barricades in reducing MD's to 20 ft (6 m) or less. Among other findings, the tests proved that a sand barrier as thin as 18 in. (46 cm) will stop or slow fragments enough to prevent propagation between ISO containers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA398611
Entities
People
- Landon K. David
- Max B. Ford
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center