Explosion , Experimental Data Interpretation of

The object was to show whether the most important data tended to confirm or disprove existing theories, reveal the gaps in current knowledge where,further research was needed, and guide the design engineer in the improvement of end items. T.C. Poulter and B.M. Caldwell made an informal estimate that to test experimentally three values of each variable in all possible combinations of these variables, with only a single shot for each combination, would require more than six million tests. The need for statistical treatment was obvious (Ref 1) 

As noted by Duff (Ref 2, p 199), equations of state had been developed which could match the experimental data as well as required for certain applications. Another class of equations of state resulted from attempts to describe the detonation products on the basis of first principles. While the two classes of work are motivated by different goals, and should not be confused with each other, both approaches should lead to the same final answer 

Papers on Condensed Phase Detonation , in 4thONRSympDeton(1965), pp 198-201 with comments by J. Hershkowitz R. 

Cheret and 11 refs) 3) C.G. Dunkle, Silver Spring, Md private communication, January 1968 

As we do not know which of these values to take, we think that the best way is to average them, which gives 137%. The same reasoning applies to power which for RDX is 170 by TT (Trauzl Test) and 150 by BMT (Ballistic Mortar Test), which gives an average value of 160% 

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