Masters Theses
Keywords and Phrases
Ballistic Pendulum; Energetics; Explosives; Tamping; Water Coupled Charges
Abstract
Water coupled charges utilize the material properties of water to alter their behavior for reductions in overpressure and increases in kinetic energy. Although water coupling has been studied directly, combined usage of the two primary methods of water coupling, tamping and pushing, hinders further research. This study addresses the gap in literature by comparing ballistic pendulum and blast data for charges with water tamping and pushing to determine differences in kinetic energy, peak overpressure, impulse, noise and duration of fireball. The results showed that water tamping provided a 69.1% increase in kinetic energy, an 18.6% reduction in incident overpressure, a 12% reduction in impulse, a 6.4% reduction in noise and a 60% reduction in fireball duration. Water pushing provided a 0.87% reduction in kinetic energy, a 6.2% reduction in incident overpressure, an 11.5% reduction in impulse, a 5.6% reduction in noise and a 30.9% reduction in fireball duration. Charge behavior correlated to directional confinement of detonation products. Water pushing confined detonation products away from the pendulum with a 0.87% decrease in kinetic energy and 6.2% decrease in incident overpressure. Water tamping confined the detonation products towards the pendulum with a 69.1% increase in kinetic energy and 18.6% reduction in incident overpressure. Combinations of both confined detonation products equally with a 50% increase in kinetic energy and 35.8% reduction in incident overpressure. These findings demonstrate that the behaviors of water coupling differ, and when combined, tamping provides the primary increase in kinetic energy.
Advisor(s)
Johnson, Catherine E.
Committee Member(s)
Perry, Kyle A.
O'Malley, Ronald J.
Department(s)
Mining Engineering
Degree Name
M.S. in Explosives Engineering
Publisher
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Publication Date
Fall 2025
Pagination
xii, 110 pages
Note about bibliography
Includes_bibliographical_references_(pages 102-109)
Rights
© 2026 Jeremiah Alan Cohn , All Rights Reserved
Document Type
Thesis - Open Access
File Type
text
Language
English
Thesis Number
T 12562
Recommended Citation
Cohn, Jeremiah Alan, "An Experimental Study into the Methods of Water Coupling and their Impact on Kinetic Energy and Blast over Pressure through the Use of a Ballistic Pendulum" (2025). Masters Theses. 8263.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/8263
