Ladyman, MelissaCoulon, FredericGutierrez Carazo, Encina2023-09-062023-09-062022-08https://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/20178The use of less-sensitive energetic formulations for military training activities has driven the replacement of traditional explosive fills by a new generation known as Insensitive High Explosives (IHE). Due to their novelty, little is understood about their behaviour in the environment when deposited as part of a formulation, specifically how long they may persist and the likelihood of transport of significant concentrations to groundwater. However, it is impractical to empirically investigate the behaviour of IHE in all possible environmental conditions and scenarios, and as of yet, there is no single computational model that enables simulation of persistence of IHE in soil. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to provide insight into the chemical behaviour of IHE to simulate their fate and transport in sandy soils. To achieve this, the key parameters governing IHE dissolution, transport through soil and degradation were identified, highlighting that the partitioning coefficient regulated IHE mobility through soil; rainwater pH modified IHE dissolution and soil temperature had a significant influence on IHE degradation. These parameters were used to develop a stochastic model able to simulate breakthrough times and concentrations in sandy soil environments. Comparison of simulated breakthrough concentrations of IHE to empirical soil columns proved that the model was able to representatively predict how IHE behaved in soil specifically concentration in leachate over time, which would be invaluable in evaluation of the environmental risks posed by IHE residues and to support soil remediation strategies in contaminated areas.en© Cranfield University 2022. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the copyright ownerExplosivesExplosive degradationExlplosive transportThesis or dissertation2023-09-06