PH4171 Physics of Explosives

The goals of the course are to provide in-depth and advanced understanding of explosives from theoretical and practical standpoints, to formulate the bases for evaluating competitive and alternative explosive systems, and to provide criteria for crisis management. This course covers advanced topics in explosive physics and chemistry: Molecular energetics of the explosive molecule including molecular orbital and valence bonding and resonance stabilization concepts and practical implications of sensitivity and energy potential, oxygen balance and thermodynamic, reaction rate theory, hot-spot theory, shock physics and detonation theory. Special topics in explosive technology and application as applied to metal driving, mine detection and neutralization, chemical and biological dissemination, and computational modeling are offered per student's interests.

Prerequisite

SE3172 and PH2652

Lecture Hours

4

Lab Hours

0

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Describe the major types of explosives, formulations, and their military applications.
• Use 1-dimensional detonation theory to describe the process by which an explosive is converted into high pressure/high temperature products.
• Write an equation of state for the detonation products using both a simple gamma-law model and a JWL model.
• Classify explosive formulations by their sensitivity to various stimuli, and describe the DoD tests used to quantify sensitivity.
• Calculate overpressure, blast wind, and shock velocity for the air blast from a bare or cased explosive charge.
• Utilize the Gurney model to describe explosive launch of fragments from a detonating explosive.
• Describe the major metrics for solid rocket motor formulations, and diagram typical rocket motors.
• Write relations for the shock and bubble from an underwater explosive charge.