An Innovative Approach to Assess Quantity-Distance
Abstract
Protection of personnel, properties, and equipments is the main concern to the Air Force and other DOD agencies for their ammunition storage program. The review of the available reports and standards , documented on assessment of hazards associated with a given situation, lead to identification of five principal effects (DOD 6055.9 STD); namely: (1) blast pressure, (2) primary and secondary fragments, (3) thermal hazards, (4) chemical hazards, and (5) ground shocks. Extensive studies have been performed in the past on hazardous effects of blast pressure, induced thermal and chemical environments, and ground shocks. However, the degree and extent of fragment induced hazards associated with accidental detonation of explosives stored in rock/soil structures (underground chambers) are still not fully verified. The empirical relationships used are too general and do not account for site specific characteristics of the geologic system (rock and/or soil mass) and engineering system (structural components). The results of a recent KLOTZ tunnel explosion test, conducted at China Lake, California confirmed the importance of rock mass characteristics, natural joints, and concrete support (hardness elements) on the generated fragments (Bakhtar, 1989). Based on the limited test conducted, it is clear that additional research is needed to develop more accurate Q-D relationships which accounts for site specific properties of the host media, structure, and the quantity of explosive stored. This paper describes the general formulation of-an innovative approach for quantity-distance assessment which accounts for the site specific properties of the underground structure (engineering system) and the characteristics of the geologic formation hosting the subsurface facility. The functional form of a recently developed Q-D criteria is presented along with the procedural details for verification.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA521567
Entities
People
- Khosrow Bakhtar