Abstract
Some of the interesting results obtained in the course of a large number of experiments carried out at IDL Chemicals Hyderabad are discussed in this paper:
A linear correlation was found between underwater energies and Trauzl leadβblock values. The correlation of the total energy was found to be better than the correlation of shock and bubble energies individually.
Variation of underwater energies with depth was observed. The shock energy decreased with depth and the bubble energy increased with depth, for three different types of explosives.
The effect of firing explosives with and without boosters were studied. In the case of an aluminized slurry explosive there was a slight increase in shock energy and no change in the bubble energy, when initiated with boosters. In the case of a powder explosive, the shock energy was found to decrease by 15% and the bubble energy by 4.7%, when initiated with boosters.
An attempt was made to study the statistical behaviour of underwater testing. The shock energy distribution appeared to be nonβnormal. It indicated the possibility of the presence of two modes. The bubble energy distribution was normal and its variability was found to be very low. The total energy distribution was also nonβnormal on account of shock energy distribution.
The need for standardization of various testing parameters such as the depth of the charge, the distance between the charge and the transducer, the geometry of the cartridge and the type of initiation, to get repeatable and internationally comparable results, is discussed. There is a need to develop complementary theory and additional measurements (if possible) to make the system more complete and acceptable for measuring the strength of explosives.