Simulation of Seismic Waves from Underground Explosions in Geologic Media: FY2009 Progress Report

摘要

The objective of this project is to develop a capability to simulate underground nuclear explosions (UNEs) through a series of first-principles simulations including hydrodynamic and elastic scattering effects near the explosion. This capability will be applied to better understand source emplacement conditions and their effect on seismic yield and source identification estimates, ultimately reducing uncertainties. In this study we are concerned with seismic motions excited by fully coupled and contained underground explosions where the explosive device is in full contact with the surrounding medium and placed in the Earth at a depth of burial (DOB) sufficient to prevent release of explosive reaction products or radiation in the case of UNEs. We seek to improve understanding of the amplitudes and frequency content of seismic wave generated by explosions in different emplacement conditions (e.g. geologic media, depth of burial). We apply modern numerical simulation methods, which capture much of the physics of shock-wave propagation, validated material models and high-performance computing to the task of understanding the seismic wave generation.