Radial blast prediction for high explosive cylinders initiated at both ends

This paper presents experimental results for the double ended initiation of cylindrical, explosive charges. Bare cylindrical charges of PE4 (RDX/binder 88/12 %) were used with length to diameter ratios of 1/3.7 to 5.75/1 and masses of 0.25 to 0.45 kg. Pressure measurements were taken at distances of 1 to 3.5 m in the radial direction. It was found that it was possible to predict the peak overpressure in the radial direction using P=K′M(L/D)1/3R−3. M is the mass of explosive, L the length of the explosive charge, D the diameter of the explosive charge, and R the distance from the charge. For PE4, K′=2251 kPa m3 kg−1 for all length to diameter ratios. The double ended initiation gives a peak overpressure 1.6 times that for single ended initiation. The impulse for double ended initiation was found to be the same as for single ended initiated charges.