Study of design parameters of explosive initiators with respect to space environments Final report
Environmental hazards to explosives and explosive triggering devices encountered on manned space flights
HAZARD↗
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Report on explosive sizing of 70-inch diameter welded aluminum preforms from 5086, 2014 T4 and 2014 T6 material Final report, 5 Dec. 1961 - 30 Mar. 1962
Explosive sizing of 70-inch diameter welded aluminum preforms and tool design of explosive form die
ALUMINUM↗
Explosives and propellants in action, part I
Definition, mechanism, and examples of explosions, deflagrations, and detonations in relation to explosive and propellant safety
SAFETY FACTOR↗
Phreatic Explosions During Basaltic Fissure Eruptions: Kings Bowl Lava Field, Snake River Plain, USA
Physical and compositional measurements are made at the approx. 7 km-long (approx. 2200 years B.P.) Kings Bowl basaltic fissure system and surrounding lava field in order to further understand the interaction of fissure-fed lavas with phreatic explosive events. These assessments are intended to elucidate the cause and potential for hazards associated with phreatic phases that occur during basaltic fissure eruptions. In the present paper we focus on a general understanding of the geological history of the site. We utilize geospatial analysis of lava surfaces, lithologic and geochemical signatures of lava flows and explosively ejected blocks, and surveys via ground observation and remote sensing.
Phreatic explosions↗
Trace Explosives Signatures from World War II Unexploded Undersea Ordnance
Trace explosives signatures of TNT and DNT have been extracted from multiple sediment samples adjacent to unexploded undersea ordnance at Halifax Harbor, Canada. The ordnance was hurled into the harbor during a massive explosion fifty years earlier, in 1945 after World War II had ended. Laboratory sediment extractions were made using the solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method in seawater, and detection using the Reversal Electron Attachment Detection (READ) technique and, in the case of DNT, a commercial gas-chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS).
unexploded↗
Response of fiber reinforced sandwich structures subjected to explosive loading
The capability to numerically simulate the response of sandwich structures to explosive loading constitutes a powerful tool to analyze and optimize their design by investigating the influence of different parameters. In order to achieve this objective, the necessary models for foam core and fiber reinforced materials in finite kinematics have been developed together with a finite element scheme which includes C1 finite elements for shells and cohesive elements able to capture the fracture propagation in composite fiber reinforced materials. This computational capability has been used to investigate the response of fiber reinforced sandwich shells to explosive loading. Based on the dissipated fracture energy resulting from these simulations, a factorial design has been carried out to assess the effect of different parameters on the sandwich shell response creating a tool for its optimization.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Systematic approach to verification and validation: High explosive burn models
Most material models used in numerical simulations are based on heuristics and empirically calibrated to experimental data. For a specific model, key questions are determining its domain of applicability and assessing its relative merits compared to other models. Answering these questions should be a part of model verification and validation (V and V). Here, we focus on V and V of high explosive models. Typically, model developers implemented their model in their own hydro code and use different sets of experiments to calibrate model parameters. Rarely can one find in the literature simulation results for different models of the same experiment. Consequently, it is difficult to assess objectively the relative merits of different models. This situation results in part from the fact that experimental data is scattered through the literature (articles in journals and conference proceedings) and that the printed literature does not allow the reader to obtain data from a figure in electronic form needed to make detailed comparisons among experiments and simulations. In addition, it is very time consuming to set up and run simulations to compare different models over sufficiently many experiments to cover the range of phenomena of interest. The first difficulty could be overcome if the research community were to support an online web based database. The second difficulty can be greatly reduced by automating procedures to set up and run simulations of similar types of experiments. Moreover, automated testing would be greatly facilitated if the data files obtained from a database were in a standard format that contained key experimental parameters as meta-data in a header to the data file. To illustrate our approach to V and V, we have developed a high explosive database (HED) at LANL. It now contains a large number of shock initiation experiments. Utilizing the header information in a data file from HED, we have written scripts to generate an input file for a hydro code, run a simulation, and generate a comparison plot showing simulated and experimental velocity gauge data. These scripts are then applied to several series of experiments and to several HE burn models. The same systematic approach is applicable to other types of material models; for example, equations of state models and material strength models.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Towards understanding initiation reactions of explosives via ultrafast laser quantum control
Optimal control can be utilized to control the initiation reaction of explosives, where time dependent phase shaped electric fields drive the chemical systems towards a desired state. For quantum controlled initiation (QCI) of explosives a pulse is created which seeks to achieve initiation by employing shaped ultraviolet light. QCI will enhance the understanding of energetic material reactions by yielding insight into the characteristics, such as critical 'hot spot' size and reaction dynamics, necessary for initiation. Quantum control experiments require the ability to: (1) phase and amplitude shape an ultrafast laser pulse, (2) measure the effect of pulse shape, and (3) optimize the desired outcome. Pulse shaping is performed with a 4-focal length dispersed fused silica acousto-optic modulator (AOM) at 400 nm in the ultraviolet (UV). Transient absorption spectroscopy is used to measure the pulse shape effects. Both global and local optimization search routines such as genetic algorithm, differential evolution, and downhill simplex are used to search for the optimal pulse shape. Hexanitroazobenzene (HNAB), Trinitroanaline (TNA) and Diaminoazozyfurazan (DAAF) are excited to the first electronic state with 400 nm light. Our initiation experiments are studying the effect of phase shaped 400 nm pulses on HNAB, TNA and DAAF. Novel transient absorption spectra for each material have been obtained and note worthy regions further investigated with single parameter control (second order spectral phase and energy). Many systems have simple intensity control such as that shown by DAAF. TNA and HNAB have spectral features that are not single parameter driven and are being further investigated with complex control.
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗
Weapons Experiments Division Explosives Operations Overview
Presentation covers WX Division programmatic operations with a focus on JOWOG-9 interests. A brief look at DARHT is followed by a high level overview of explosives research activities currently being conducted within in the experimental groups of WX-Division. Presentation covers more emphasis of activities and facilities at TA-9 as these efforts have been more traditionally aligned with ongoing collaborative explosive exchanges covered under JOWOG-9.
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
Macroscopic observables experimentally linked to microscopic processes in the explosive fracture and fragmentation of metals
The response of a metal element to explosive loading depends on a broad spectrum of explosive and metal properties, macroscopic geometry plays a crucial role in defining the localized loading history and the resulting gradients of interest, while microscopic effects and defects are generally believed responsible for damage nucleation. Certain experiments reduce the complexity by producing conditions that are uniform in some sense, allowing dynamic measurement of variables that can be correlated with corresponding microscopic effects observed in recovery experiments. Spherical expansion of thin shells, that eventually fragment, and steady wave loading of flat plates are two such experiments. Proton radiography, x-radiography, laser velocimetry, imaging IR, and visible light photography all have produced dynamic measurements in 4340 steel, copper, uranium alloys, tantalum, and titanium. Correlation of the macroscopic measurements with microscopy on recovered samples has been done with a statistical approach.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Reagent Selection Methodology for a Novel Explosives Detection Platform
This video describes research being conducted by Dr. Marvin Warner, a research scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, in the individual pieces of antibodies used to set up a chemical reaction that will give off light just by mixing reagents together with a sample that contains an explosive molecule. This technology would help detect if explosives are present with just the use of a handheld system or container.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Advancing Explosives Detection Capabilities: Vapor Detection
A new, PNNL-developed method provides direct, real-time detection of trace amounts of explosives such as RDX, PETN and C-4. The method selectively ionizes a sample before passing the sample through a mass spectrometer to detect explosive vapors. The method could be used at airports to improve aviation security.
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗
Temperature-based reactive flow model for TATB plastic bonded explosives
A new reactive flow model is presented for TATB-based plastic bonded explosives, applicable to shock initiation and detonation problems of differing initial temperature. Temperature disequilibrium is assumed between unreacted explosive, material in the vicinity of compressed defects (called hot spots), and detonation products. The model incorporates temperature-dependent decomposition reaction rates. Arrhenius model parameters were derived from subscale quantum-based molecular dynamics simulations of shock-induced TATB decomposition. Further, a model of detonation carbon aggregation is incorporated, describing the late-time slow release of energy inherent to detonation in TATB-based materials. The predictive ability of the model in the shock initiation regime is tested against recent thin pulse experiments on PBX 9502. Here, the model is found to perform equally well in predicting the size effect curve of ambient, cold, and hot PBX 9502 rate sticks.
Chemistry - Chemical explosives↗
Improved field assessments of chemicals and explosives using high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy with a tagged neutron interrogation system
A fi eld-portable tagged neutron interrogation system is being developed for detection of explosives and chemical warfare agents by prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis. The system combines an associated particle imaging deuterium-tritium neutron generator with a high-purity germanium gamma-ray detector. Fine spatial resolution neutron and alpha detectors enable precise mapping of characteristic gamma-ray emission distributions onto high-clarity neutron radiographic images. A narrow coincidence gate associated with each tagged neutron ensures a large signal-to-background ratio, thus signifi cantly improving sensitivity to the chemical compositions of the items being assessed. Recent experimental results recorded from test objects involving mock explosives and other chemicals are presented.
46 - INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AN↗
Improved field assessments of chemicals and explosives using high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy with a tagged neutron interrogation system
A fi eld-portable tagged neutron interrogation system is being developed for detection of explosives and chemical warfare agents by prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis. The system combines an associated particle imaging deuterium-tritium neutron generator with a high-purity germanium gamma-ray detector. Fine spatial resolution neutron and alpha detectors enable precise mapping of characteristic gamma-ray emission distributions onto high-clarity neutron radiographic images. A narrow coincidence gate associated with each tagged neutron ensures a large signal-to-background ratio, thus signifi cantly improving sensitivity to the chemical compositions of the items being assessed. Recent experimental results recorded from test objects involving mock explosives and other chemicals are presented.
46 - INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AN↗
Chemical Explosion Experiments to Improve Nuclear Test Monitoring [Developing a New Paradigm for Nuclear Test Monitoring with the Source Physics Experiments (SPE)]
A series of chemical explosions, called the Source Physics Experiments (SPE), is being conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to develop a new more physics-based paradigm for nuclear test monitoring. Currently, monitoring relies on semi-empirical models to discriminate explosions from earthquakes and to estimate key parameters such as yield. While these models have been highly successful monitoring established test sites, there is concern that future tests could occur in media and at scale depths of burial outside of our empirical experience. This is highlighted by North Korean tests, which exhibit poor performance of a reliable discriminant, mb:Ms (Selby et al., 2012), possibly due to source emplacement and differences in seismic responses for nascent and established test sites. The goal of SPE is to replace these semi-empirical relationships with numerical techniques grounded in a physical basis and thus applicable to any geologic setting or depth.
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
Thermally driven advection for radioxenon transport from an underground nuclear explosion
Abstract Barometric pumping is a ubiquitous process resulting in migration of gases in the subsurface that has been studied as the primary mechanism for noble gas transport from an underground nuclear explosion (UNE). However, at early times following a UNE, advection driven by explosion residual heat is relevant to noble gas transport. A rigorous measure is needed for demonstrating how, when, and where advection is important. In this paper three physical processes of uncertain magnitude (oscillatory advection, matrix diffusion, and thermally driven advection) are parameterized by using boundary conditions, system properties, and source term strength. Sobol' sensitivity analysis is conducted to evaluate the importance of all physical processes influencing the xenon signals. This study indicates that thermally driven advection plays a more important role in producing xenon signals than oscillatory advection and matrix diffusion at early times following a UNE, and xenon isotopic ratios are observed to have both time and spatial dependence.
Sun, Yunwei↗
SAPS-associated explosive brightening on the dusk-side: A new type of onset-like disturbance: A new type of onset-like disturbance
Quasi-periodic energetic particle injections have been observed at geosynchronous orbit on the dusk-side during a steady magnetospheric convection event. Here, we examine high resolution auroral imager data and ground magnetometer data associated with the first of these injections and conclude that it was not associated with classical substorm signatures. It is proposed that these injections are caused by the explosive non-linear growth of a shear-flow-ballooning instability in the region where sub-auroral polarization streams (SAPS) also occur. It is suggested that interchange will occur preferentially in the low-conductivity SAPS region since the magnetic Richardson number is lowest there and the ‘line-tying’ effect will also be least stabilizing there. We also propose that the observed particle injection signatures and auroral morphology constitute a new type of SAPS-associated explosive ‘onset-like’ disturbance that can occur during intervals of strong convection.
58 GEOSCIENCES↗