Biological Effects of Blast from Bombs. Glass Fragments as Penetrating Missiles and Some of the Biological Implications of Glass Fragmented by Atomic Explosions

摘要

An exploratory study was made whose aim was to evaluate the damage done by low velocity (less than 1000 ft/sec) missiles consisting of small fragments of ordinary window glass striking in random orientations a biological target. The index of damage was chosen to be the penetration of the abdominal wall of anesthetized dogs. By use of appropriate laboratory data, a criterion of penetration was derived which expresses in equation form the probability of penetration in terms of missile mass and impact velocity. The penetration criterion was applied individually to data for 2486 glass missiles originating in test houses placed on Operation Teapot (5) at various ranges from ground zero. By use of other statistical procedures, expectation of penetration was computed as a function of overpressure for the region between 1.9 and 5.0 psi. It was found that maximum expectation occurred at about 3.8 psi. The general biological significance of the results obtained was discussed.