High Explosive Multiburst Airblast Phenomena (Simultaneous and Non-Simultaneous Detonations)

This document is the final summary report on a series of sixteen high explosive multiburst detonations which were carried out as part of Project DIPOLE WEST. The series was conducted during the summers of 1973, 1974, and 1975 at the Defence Research Establishment, Suffield, Alberta, Canada, and was sponsored by the Defense Nuclear Agency. The sixteen events were divided into three phases. In the first phase, two charges at the same elevation but separated horizontally were detonated simultaneously. In the second phase, the charges were placed one above the other, but still detonated simultaneously. Finally, in the third phase, vertically separated, non-simultaneous detonations were investigated. The report summarizes the information obtained from electronic pressure transducers and from high-speed photography. The latter was subjected to extensive photogrammetric analysis. Significant insight into the redistribution of energy in blast waves as they pass over real and ideal surfaces was gained, and information was obtained about the interaction of Mach stem shocks under various conditions. General validation of hydrodynamic calculational techniques, plus the development of code modifications appropriate for multiburst situations, was a major accomplishment from this analysis. (Author)