Explosive Comparison Trials; Cast TNT and TNT Drill Dust

摘要

A series of six blast experiments was conducted to compare the blast environments produced by Cast TNT (military TNT Demolition Charge blocks) and by TNT Drill Dust, a by-product of reclaiming cast TNT from decommissioned military ordnance. Each experiment employed 50-lb net explosive weight of the test explosive, and the blast environment was compared with that predicted by the ConWep software tool for uncased TNT. The Cast TNT produced a blast environment more energetic than predicted for TNT, resulting in a recommended 1.10 TNT-equivalent weight. The TNT Drill Dust produced a blast environment less energetic than predicted for TNT, resulting in a recommended 0.90 TNT- equivalent weight. Both explosives produced stable, and hence predictable, blast environments, and are suitable for use in blast effects research.