Rain Scavenging Model for Predicting Low Yield Airburst Weapon Fallout for Operational Type Studies

摘要

A method was developed that enables a tactical ground commander to predict gamma radiation dose rates and infinite doses produced by the rain scavenging of low-yield nuclear airburst clouds. A ground activity distribution per unit area at time t, A(x,y,t), is computed using a distribution of activity in the cloud per meter of altitude, A(z,t). To find the maximum activity grounded, it is assumed 100 percent of the cloud activity is instantaneously deposited on the ground by the mechanism of rain scavenging. This maximum A(x,y,t) is then converted to a maximum dose rate, D(x,y,t), from which maximum infinite doses are computed. Maximum dose rate and infinite dose curves vs cloud washout time (after cloud stabilization) are presented for 10 weapon yields ranging from 1.0 kiloton to 0.1 kiloton. It is shown that the radiation hazard levels are insignificant tactical threats at times greater than 36 hours after cloud stabilization. (Author)