Experimental verification of different analytical approaches for estimating underwater explosives

Abstract

The clearance of underwater ordnance is one of the most complex tasks entrusted to appropriately trained and equipped soldiers. State-of-the-art knowledge in this area is rarely published and is most often possessed by a narrow group of navy specialists. The aim of this paper was to find a link between the existing mathematical models for the peak pressure of underwater explosion with measurements of small charge detonations for long ranges to the observation point in real life scenarios. We have shown the results of the research in which the underwater explosion tests were presented for different TNT equivalents and standoff distances and thus distance ratios. The curves of pressure versus time of ignition were reported. The measurements were confronted with empirical formulas. The comparison showed large, but expected, differences, since the empirical formulas are advised for smaller distance ratios. Based on the conclusions from the study, the new methodology to identify the loading from underwater explosions based on a database collected was postulated. By creating a survey methodology for ships crew for recording explosion parameters, a large number of events can be registered without a strict setup of the test area. The database obtained can be used by military commanders to identify the explosive hazard in the Baltic Sea region.