A computer model of the explosive acoustic source

Abstract

Explosives are widely used as broadband acoustic sources, but their spectrum characteristics are not adequately defined. A comprehensive experimental evaluation is not feasible economically and the problem can be solved only by a model, supported by a limited critical experiment. A computer model of the source waveform, using only analytic functions, is at last available. The model, known as DIAL‐A‐SUS, readily provides the desired spectrum for any charge size and detonation depth by Fourier transform techniques. Certain amplitude and time characteristics of the waveform, which are defined in terms of the source weight and depth, are used to evaluate the parameters of the model's analytic functions. The model is ideally suited to study the sensitivity of the spectrum characteristics to variations in the critical parameters of the waveform and determine the important factors requiring further experimental evaluation. The results and significance of such studies are discussed, with experimental implications, and model predictions are compared with measurements. An exciting spinoff is the characterization of the explosive as a multifrequency, narrow‐band (e.g., 1 Hz) source, with important potential applications. [Work supported by NUSC.]