A Method for Sensitivity Analysis of Ground Protection Afforded by Endoatmospheric Intercept of Chemical Weapons
Abstract
We have developed preliminary estimates of the protection afforded on the ground from releasing chemicals at altitude in the atmosphere and have used such estimates to determine the sensitivity of the protection to major variables such as wind speed, release altitude, drop size distribution, and turbulent dispersion. The approach used can be applied to provide detailed quantitative sensitivity analyses for each of the variables considered here. Preliminary sensitivity analysis indicates the most important variable affecting protection on the ground in all conditions and all altitudes of release is drop size distribution. We find that the drop size distribution so dominates the other variables that for a lognormal drop size distribution varying the truncation width assumed for the distribution produces larger variations in protection on the ground than the typical range of either release altitude or wind speed. The sensitivity analysis indicates the most important factor affecting ground deposition is drop size distribution. These results suggest that understanding and measuring the initial drop size distribution can reduce uncertainty concerning protection on the ground.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA406327
Entities
People
- Frank Handler
Organizations
- University of California