Pressure Wave Caused by Trinitrotoluene (TNT) Underwater Explosion—Short Review

Abstract

The development of computational techniques and computer hardware has an impact the analysis of short-term (fast-changing) processes, such as the impact of a non-contact underwater explosion pressure waves. A theory of underwater explosions, gas bubble formation and pressure waves are presented. The course of the pressure wave in time, and its propagation in the acoustic medium are presented. The study presents empirical descriptions of non-contact pressure explosion waves. We propose to use them in simulations of ship hull strength and other objects immersed in liquids that are exposed to the effects of non-contact trinitrotoluene (TNT)-charge explosions. Pressure distributions and their time courses given by authors such as R.H. Cole, J.S. Nawagin, W. Stiepanow, T.E. Farley and H.G. Snay, T.L. Geers and K.S. Hunter are compared. A method of pressure wave modeling using acoustic media implemented in Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) programs is presented. The results of the values and the time course of the pressure acting on the underwater object are given. The influence of FEM (Finite Element Method) mesh density on the obtained results is examined and presented. The aim of the article is to expand our knowledge of underwater explosions, compare mathematical descriptions of the pressure waves developed by different authors and show the differences between them. In addition, we present the distinction between contact and non-contact explosions and analyze how changes in the mesh density of acoustic elements affects the reflection of the incident wave caused by an underwater explosion.