Masters Theses

Keywords and Phrases

Shock Wave Confinement; Shock Wave Propagation; Small-scale Testing

Abstract

"Shock wave propagation in tunnels and other enclosed environments is substantially more complicated than in an open-air or even a surface detonation. There is still much to learn about how shock wave properties change as a wave propagates in an enclosed space, such as a mine tunnel, inside of a building, or city street. The geometry of the enclosure will have a large role in the propagation of the shock wave. This means that many different tunnel designs must be studied. This work tested five different designs using a modular small-scale model. The scenarios tested were Straight-line, Single Turn, Around Pillar, Split, and Split Around Pillar. Piezoelectric pressure transducers were used to determine peak pressure and maximum impulse at designated locations in the model. The results of this research show where high- and low-pressure zones are formed during an explosion based on the corner and crosscut features of the tunnel. Some key findings from these experiments include the minimal pressure change observed through the crosscut in the Single Turn arrangement and the significant pressure drop downstream of the pillar in the Around Pillar scenario. The data analysis also proved that pressure experienced at the exit is more greatly affected by the geometry of the tunnel than the tunnel's total volume. This information will help improve mine planning concerning the location of both personnel and equipment so that they will be less likely to be injured or damaged in the event of an accidental explosion. The information will also lead to safer procedures for explosive breaching personnel and a larger base of knowledge for investigating and mitigating urban bombings"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Johnson, Catherine E.

Committee Member(s)

Perry, Kyle A.
Worsey, Paul Nicholas

Department(s)

Mining Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Explosives Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Spring 2020

Pagination

xiii, 93 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographic references (pages 86-92).

Rights

© 2020 David Pierre Doucet, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 11672

Electronic OCLC #

1164095800

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