Predictions of the Ejected Water Mass from Shallow Depth Explosion Plumes

Abstract

AbstractA study is presented showing results of predictions of the amount of water ejected from shallow depth explosions. Measurements of the Equivalent Water Length (EWL) are determined by integrating the density along a horizontal line through the plume. These EWL values are important for the assessment of the viability of using plumes as an effective water barrier for vessel defense. The predictions are obtained using a model based on a generalized formulation of hydrodynamics using an incompressible liquid assumption. This formulation is well suited for predicting long-time bubble and plume dynamics and has been previously validated on a variety of applications including water plume predictions. The purpose of this study is to obtain estimates for EWL values at specified heights, the time length that these levels persist during the plume evolution, as well as estimates for the effects of charge depth and size.