Surface Instabilities From Buried Explosives
Abstract
This report documents a preliminary study of surface instabilities that occur at the interface between soil and air during buried explosions. The purpose of understanding this instability is to determine its effect on local vehicle loading. Except when the target is on the surface, e.g. a tank track, the most important loading mechanism from a buried charge is the impact of soil propelled at the target by the expanding gas from the explosion. Detonation of a shallow buried explosive generally yields an unstable interface between the rising soil and the air. This unstable air - soil interface appears to be the result of Richtmyer-Meshkov instability. Irregular "fingers" of saturated sand extend into the air above a more generalized dome of soil. These fingers move at a much higher velocity than the material between them - especially at smaller stand off distances. As a result, the local load on the target at different positions on the target at the same distance from the charge may vary by 50% or more from shot to shot or even within a single shot . The variable nature of localized loading on the target requires a large design safety factor to assure vehicle integrity. This has important implications for efficient mine-resistant vehicle design.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 21, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA515341
Entities
People
- Daniel P. Lathrop
- Leslie C. Taylor
- William L. Fourney
Organizations
- University of Maryland