The Scattering of Thermal Radiation into Open Underground Shelters
Abstract
Animals placed in open underground shelters at the Nevada Test Site during an atomic weapon test suffered skin burns of an unknown origin. From a study of the burns, the following deductions were made: (1) the causative agent entered the shelter from outside; (2) the causative agent was subject to rectilinear propagation near the entrance; and (3) the causative agent required a relatively unobstructed opening to effect entrance. The two most likely agents for such burns are (1) hot winds and/or hot wind-borne dust that are forced into the shelter as the shock front from the weapon passes the shelter entrances and (2) radiant energy from the fireball that is scattered into the shelter. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contribution made by radiant energy and, if this contribution proved to be significant, to suggest means of eliminating it. The following procedure was adopted: (1) extensive measurements were made in the laboratory on a scale model of the shelter and (2) direct measurements were made on an actual shelter to ensure the validity of the laboratory results. A Photronic cell and a MacBeth Uluminometer were used to measure the entryway transmission of total radiant energy. The consistency of the results with extended and point sources for the model shelter and the agreement of these results with those from a point source and sunlight for the underground shelter at the Nevada Test Site lead to considerable confidence in the ability to predict the amount of radiant energy that would reach the animals from a weapon of known size. The energy calculated on the basis of these static measurements is about 11200 of that required to produce the burns. Although transient effects caused by the rapid heating of the entryway walls could have resulted in a considerable increase in the entryway transmission, it is felt that radiant energy was neither the sole causative agent nor the most important causative agent in producing burns within the shelters.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 30, 1959
- Accession Number
- ADA438062
Entities
People
- H. E. Pearse
- J. A. Basso
- N. D. Miller
- T. P. Davis
- T. S. Ely
Organizations
- University of Rochester