Verification of a Specialized Hydrodynamic Simulation Code for Modeling Deflagration and Detonation of High Explosives

A specialized hydrodynamic simulation code has been developed to simulate one-dimensional unsteady problems involving the detonation and deflagration of high explosives. To model all the relevant physical processes in these problems, a code is required to simulate compressible hydrodynamics, unsteady thermal conduction and chemical reactions with complex rate laws. Several verification exercises are presented which test the implementation of these capabilities. The code also requires models for physics processes such as equations of state and conductivity for pure materials and mixtures as well as rate laws for chemical reactions. Additional verification tests are required to ensure these models are implemented correctly. Though this code is limited in the types of problems it can simulate, its computationally efficient formulation allow it to be used in calibration studies for reactive burn models for high explosives.

Using thermochemical code EXPLO5 to predict the performance parameters of explosives

Thanks to the development of more powerful computers and efficient numerical techniques, numerical modelling has become a compulsory tool in solving various problems in the field of energetic materials. In cases where measuring techniques are still unable to measure a given parameter, numerical modelling may be the only option of obtaining a value. In addition, numerical modelling helps us to better understand some phenomena, particularly in understanding the influence of input parameters on output results, as well as saving time and money. The thermochemical equilibrium code EXPLO5 is such a tool which enables theoretical prediction of performance of high explosives, propellants and pyrotechnic compositions. The code is used by more than 80 research laboratories worldwide.

Scaled-down test arrangements for characterizing high explosives

Newly formulated explosives and the optimization of explosive mixtures requires an experimental determination of detonation parameters, especially detonation velocity, pressure and metal accelerating ability. Increasing material and labour costs force researchers to reduce test quantities and therefore to develop smaller scale experiments which provide sufficient data to determine an explosive’s properties. Seven test set-ups found in literature are described and compared in this paper.