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Interactions of Impact Shock Waves in a Thin-Walled Explosive Container. I. Impact by a Flat-Ended Projectile

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Combustion, Explosion and Shock Waves Aims and scope

Abstract

Interaction of impact shock waves that could detonate an explosive (Composition B) confined in a thin-walled container impacted by a cylindrical projectile is numerically studied, based on the Forest Fire explosive reaction rate model. After the impact, rarefaction waves from projectile periphery and front cover–explosive interface catch up the forward-moving shock fronts in the explosive as well as in the projectile. At a high impact velocity, the transmitted shock front induces detonation at the front cover–explosive interface. At an intermediate velocity, the rate of energy release from the shock-compressed volume in the explosive is such that the associated effects prevail over the effects caused by rarefaction waves, leading to detonation after the shock wave travels a certain distance in the explosive. There is a range of minimum impact velocities at which the effect of rarefaction waves prevails over the energy release; hence, the detonation is excited not behind the shock-wave front moving over the explosive but only after shock-wave reflection from the high-impedance back plate. It is suggested that, in interpreting the detonation behavior of an explosive confined by a high-impedance container, one should take into account the effects of shock-wave interaction with container walls.

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Shin, H., Lee, W. Interactions of Impact Shock Waves in a Thin-Walled Explosive Container. I. Impact by a Flat-Ended Projectile. Combustion, Explosion, and Shock Waves 39, 470–478 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024747224246

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