Open AccessSeismic Energy from Explosions
Author(s) -
O'Brien P. N. S.
Publication year - 1960
Publication title -
geophysical journal of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.302
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1365-246X
pISSN - 0016-8009
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-246x.1960.tb00063.x
Subject(s) - amplitude , explosive material , impulse (physics) , seismology , underwater , range (aeronautics) , geology , limiting , seismic wave , physics , mechanics , classical mechanics , materials science , optics , engineering , mechanical engineering , chemistry , oceanography , organic chemistry , composite material
Summary For underwater explosions it is shown that the amplitude of the first arrival of the ground wave should be proportional to W 2 / 3 where W is the charge weight. Also that its frequency content should be independent of W . Of the total chemical energy of the explosive it is estimated that about 3 per cent is available in the frequency range 0–100 c/s. For underground explosions it is postulated that the radiated pressure pulse begins to obey infinitesimal strain theory once its impulse per unit area has decreased below a limiting value. This value is constant for a given rock type. From this it follows that the seismic amplitude should usually be directly proportional to W . But for high frequencies or very large charges it should become proportional to W 2 / 3 . These predictions are compared with observational data, both original and those previously published. They agree well for underground explosions. For underwater explosions the data are themselves inconsistent and more are needed.