Abstract

We investigate shock-induced detonation of high explosives confined in an open-ended steel cylinder by a normal impact to the cylindrical surface using three-dimensional finite element analysis. Three types of steel projectiles are considered: a cube, a sphere and a square plate. For the encased LX-17 explosive the calculated threshold impact velocities that lead to deflagration and detonation are higher for a sphere than for a cube of the same mass. It is found that detonation of the encased PBXN-110 explosive with the cubical projectile could occur immediately once a full reaction is initiated in the region near the impact site. The threshold detonation velocity is much lower for PBXN-110 than for LX-17. In addition, we discuss the threshold conditions of detonation predicted by different equations of state and failure models for the steel casing and projectile.

Keywords

explosive detonation, high velocity impact, Lee–Tarver ignition and growth model, Jones–Wilkins–Lee equation of state, Johnson–Cook model, finite element analysis

Authors