Experimental and Numerical Study on the Afterburning Effect of TNT

摘要

In order to investigate the afterburning effect of TNT in an open space, a double-layer container (DLC) which can be filled with different gases and enhance the afterburning effect of underoxidized explosives was designed. The charges were located in the inner container, and the outer container was filled with different gases (air, oxygen or nitrogen). The experiments were conducted under water. After initiation, the DLC cracks and provides gas for the detonation products. Underwater static pressure transducer was the main diagnostic. It is shown that pressure and impulse histories for explosions in oxygen and air are greater than those recorded for explosions in nitrogen. Moreover, the afterburning energy was calculated. Results show that the afterburning energy increases with the increase of the amount of oxygen, but cannot reach the theoretically maximum value even though there is excessive oxygen. Finally, two-dimensional numerical simulations were performed by the explicit finite element program ANSYS AUTODYN. The Miller energy release model was used to describe the afterburning process. Results demonstrate that computed pressure histories agreed with measured pressure histories well in terms of initial peak pressure, waveforms and total impulse.