• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.510-517
• /
• 2019

Increasing proliferation resistance of plutonium by way of increased $^{238}Pu$ content is of interest to the nuclear nonproliferation and international safeguards community. Considering the high alpha decay heat of $^{238}Pu$, increasing the isotopic fraction leads to a noticeably higher amount of heat generation within the plutonium. High heat generation is especially unattractive in the scenario of weaponization. Upon weaponization of the plutonium, the plutonium may generate enough heat to elevate the temperature in the high explosives to above its self-explosion temperature, rendering the weapon useless. In addition, elevated temperatures will cause thermal expansion in the components of a nuclear explosive device that may produce thermal stresses high enough to produce failure in the materials, reducing the effectiveness of the weapon. Understanding the technical limit of $^{238}Pu$ required to reduce the possibility of weaponization is key to reducing the current limit on safeguarded plutonium (greater than 80 at. % $^{238}Pu$). The plutonium vector evaluated in this study was found by simulating public information on Lightbridge's fuel design for pressurized water reactors. This study explores the temperature profile and maximum stress within a simple (first generation design) hypothetical nuclear explosive device of four unique scenarios over time. Analyzing the transient development of both the temperature profile and maximum stress not only establishes a technical limit on the $^{238}Pu$ content, but also establishes a time limit for which each scenario would be useable.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.111-121
• /
• 2021

Large deformation and rapid pressure propagation take place inside the rock mass under the dynamic loads caused by the explosives, on quarry faces in order to extract aggregate material. The complexity of the science of rock blasting is due to a number of factors that affect the phenomenon. However, blasting engineering computations could be facilitated by innovative software algorithms in order to determine the results of the violent explosion, since field experiments are particularly difficult to be conducted. The present research focuses on the design of a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) code, for investigating in detail the behavior of limestone under the blasting effect of Ammonium Nitrate & Fuel Oil (ANFO). Specifically, the manuscript presents the FEA models and the relevant transient analysis results, simulating the blasting process for three types of limestone, ranging from poor to very good quality. The Finite Element code was developed by applying the Jones-Wilkins-Lee (JWL) equation of state to describe the thermodynamic state of ANFO and the pressure dependent Drucker-Prager failure criterion to define the limestone plasticity behavior, under blasting induced, high rate stress. A progressive damage model was also used in order to define the stiffness degradation and destruction of the material. This paper performs a comparative analysis and quantifies the phenomena regarding pressure, stress distribution and energy balance, for three types of limestone. The ultimate goal of this research is to provide an answer for a number of scientific questions, considering various phenomena taking place during the explosion event, using advanced computational tools.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Planning & Design
• /
• v.34 no.7
• /
• pp.47-57
• /
• 2018

As a preliminary step for developing vulnerability assessment model of terrorism, this study aims to deduce and classify architectural design elements of multi-use buildings to protect them from terrorism using explosives. For these objectives, eleven domestic and foreign guidelines of anti-terrorism, including RVS which is one of the commonly used tools for assessing vulnerability to terrorism, were analyzed. As results, 2 scenarios of explosive attack, 4 layers of defense, and 58 architectural design elements for risk assessment of terrorism were deduced. And the design elements were categorized into 18 groups based on their purpose and function to take into account the supplementary effects among them. Then, the design measures applicable for each element were classified into several grades on the basis of its protection or risk level. Lastly, 11 multi-use buildings were selected and investigated how the elements suggested in this study were applied to them.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.16-21
• /
• 2021

A new concept of ammunition without the use of explosive gunpowder has been recently studied, which achieves performance equal to or higher than that of high explosives. Frangible Armor Piercing (FAP) is one of the concepts, which utilizes a tungsten alloy penetrator specialized for fragmentation. To investigate the fracture behavior of the tungsten alloy penetrator, Taylor impact tests were conducted at various impact velocities. Additionally, finite element analysis was performed to predict the fracture behavior of the tungsten alloy. Compression tests were also carried out at six strain rates for dynamic material properties and the dynamic hardening behavior was successfully predicted with the Lim-Huh model. Finally, the Mohr-Coulomb fracture model based on the mean stress was adopted to predict impact failure in Taylor impact simulation. The analysis predicts the deformation and fracture behaviors of the tungsten alloy successfully.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.99-110
• /
• 2022

In decommissioning a nuclear power plant, numerous concrete structures need to be demolished and decontaminated. Although concrete decontamination technologies have been developed globally, concrete cutting remains problematic due to the secondary waste production and dispersion risk from concrete scabbling. To minimize workers' radiation exposure and secondary waste in dismantling and decontaminating concrete structures, the following conceptual designs were developed. A micro-blast type scabbling technology using explosive materials and a multi-dimensional contamination measurement and artificial intelligence (AI) mapping technology capable of identifying the contamination status of concrete surfaces. Trials revealed that this technology has several merits, including nuclide identification of more than 5 nuclides, radioactivity measurement capability of 0.1-10⁷ Bq·g^-1, 1.5 kg robot weight for easy handling, 10 cm robot self-running capability, 100% detonator performance, decontamination factor (DF) of 100 and 8,000 cm²·hr^-1 decontamination speed, better than that of TWI (7,500 cm²·hr^-1). Hence, the micro-blast type scabbling technology is a suitable method for concrete decontamination. As the Korean explosives industry is well developed and robot and mapping systems are supported by government research and development, this scabbling technology can efficiently aid the Korean decommissioning industry.

• Coupled systems mechanics
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.167-181
• /
• 2023

The determination of the blast protection level and the corresponding minimum load-bearing capacity for a laminated glass (LG) window is of crucial importance for safety and security design purposes. In this paper, the focus is given to the window response under near-field blast loading, i.e., where relatively small explosives would be activated close to the target, representative of attack scenarios using small commercial drones. In general, the assessment of the load-bearing capacity of a window is based on complex and expensive experiments, which can be conducted for a small number of configurations. On the other hand, nowadays, validated numerical simulations tools based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) are available to partially substitute the physical tests for the assessment of the performance of various LG systems, especially for the far-field blast loading. However, very little literature is available on the LG window performance under near-field blast loads, which differs from far-field situations in two points: i) the duration of the load is very short, since the blast wavelength tends to increase with the distance and ii) the load distribution is not uniform over the window surface, as opposed to the almost plane wave configuration for far-field configurations. Therefore, the current study focuses on the performance assessment and structural behaviour of LG windows under near-field blasts. Typical behavioural trends are investigated, by taking into account possible relevant damage mechanisms in the LG window components, while size effects for target LG windows are also addressed under a multitude of blast loading configurations.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
• /
• 2022.04a
• /
• pp.150-151
• /
• 2022

Blasting is a method that uses explosives to crush the ground. This method is a highly efficient ground cleaning method that can secure high efficiency in a short time. However, explosions can damage local properties and produce high noise and vibration. Therefore, it is important to be careful because there are disadvantages such as the occurrence of many complaints from the surrounding area. In this paper measured and analyzed the noise and vibration generated during blasting at the blasting site in Korea. The noise and vibration generated during blasting were measured by ES03303.2b and ES03402.2a at a distance of 6 m, 12 m from the blasting point. As a result of the measurement, there was little difference between small and medium scale except for precision vibration blasting at a distance of 6m, but noise difference according to blasting scale was evident at a distance of 12m. As a result of the measurement, the maximum noise level was reduced to 5.5 dB(A) and the vibration level was reduced to 7.7 dB(V). In the future, the reliability of the test results can be further improved through additional tests, and it is judged that noise and vibration prediction models based on blasting methods, amount of charge, measuring distance, etc. can be developed.

• Current Optics and Photonics
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.138-150
• /
• 2024

This study is essential for advancing our knowledge about the interaction between long-range high-power lasers and energetic materials, with a particular emphasis on understanding the response of a 155-mm shell under various surface irradiations, taking into account external factors such as atmospheric disturbances. The analysis addresses known limitations in understanding the use of non-realistic targets and the negligence of ambient conditions. The model employs the three-dimensional level-set method, computer-aided design (CAD)-based target design, and a message-passing interface (MPI) parallelization scheme that enables rapid calculations of the complex chemical reactions of the irradiated high explosives. Important outcomes from interaction modeling include the accurate prediction of the initiation time of ignition, transient pressure, and temperature responses with the location of the initial hot spot within the shell, and the relative magnitude of noise with and without the presence of physical ambient disturbances. The initiation time of combustion was increased by approximately a factor of two with atmospheric disturbance considered, while slower heating of the target resulted in an average temperature rise of approximately 650 K and average pressure increase of approximately 1 GPa compared to the no ambient disturbance condition. The results provide an understanding of the interaction between the high-power laser and energetic target at a long distance in an atmospheric condition.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.91 no.1
• /
• pp.103-121
• /
• 2024

The smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method is a numerical technique used in dynamic analysis to simulate the fluid-like behavior of materials under extreme conditions, such as those encountered in explosions or high velocity impacts. In SPH, fluid or solid materials are discretized into particles. These particles interact with each other based on certain smoothing kernels, allowing the simulation of fluid flows and predict the response of solid materials to shock waves, like deformation, cracking or failure. One of the main advantages of SPH is its ability to simulate these phenomena without a fixed grid, making it particularly suitable for analyzing complex geometries. In this study, the structural damage to a masonry arch bridge subjected to blast loading was investigated. A high-fidelity micro-model was created and the explosives were modeled using the SPH approach. The Johnson-Holmquist II damage model and the Mohr-Coulomb material model were considered to evaluate the masonry and backfill properties. Consistent with the principles of the JH-II model, the authors developed a VUMAT code. The explosive charges (50 kg, 168 kg, 425 kg and 1000 kg) were placed in close proximity to the deck and pier of a bridge. The results showed that the 50 kg charges, which could have been placed near the pier by a terrorist, had only a limited effect on the piers. Instead, this charge caused a vertical displacement of the deck due to the confinement effect. Conversely, a 1000 kg TNT charge placed 100 cm above the deck caused significant damage to the bridge.

• Explosives and Blasting
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.3-13
• /
• 1991

The cautious blasting works had been used with emulsion explosion electric M/S delay caps. Drill depth was from 3m to 6m with Crawler Drill ${\phi}70mm$ on the calcalious sand stone (soft -modelate -semi hard Rock). The total numbers of test blast were 88. Scale distance were induced 15.52-60.32. It was applied to propagation Law in blasting vibration as follows. Propagtion Law in Blasting Vibration $V=K(\frac{D}{W^b})^n$ were V : Peak partical velocity(cm/sec) D : Distance between explosion and recording sites(m) W : Maximum charge per delay-period of eight milliseconds or more (kg) K : Ground transmission constant, empirically determind on the Rocks, Explosive and drilling pattern ets. b : Charge exponents n : Reduced exponents where the quantity $\frac{D}{W^b}$ is known as the scale distance. Above equation is worked by the U.S Bureau of Mines to determine peak particle velocity. The propagation Law can be catagorized in three groups. Cubic root Scaling charge per delay Square root Scaling of charge per delay Site-specific Scaling of charge Per delay Plots of peak particle velocity versus distoance were made on log-log coordinates. The data are grouped by test and P.P.V. The linear grouping of the data permits their representation by an equation of the form ; $V=K(\frac{D}{W^{\frac{1}{3}})^{-n}$ The value of K(41 or 124) and n(1.41 or 1.66) were determined for each set of data by the method of least squores. Statistical tests showed that a common slope, n, could be used for all data of a given components. Charge and reduction exponents carried out by multiple regressional analysis. It's divided into under loom over loom distance because the frequency is verified by the distance from blast site. Empirical equation of cautious blasting vibration is as follows. Over 30m ------- under l00m ${\cdots\cdots\cdots}{\;}41(D/sqrt[2]{W})^{-1.41}{\;}{\cdots\cdots\cdots\cdots\cdots}{\;}A$ Over 100m ${\cdots\cdots\cdots\cdots\cdots}{\;}121(D/sqrt[3]{W})^{-1.66}{\;}{\cdots\cdots\cdots\cdots\cdots}{\;}B$ where ; V is peak particle velocity In cm / sec D is distance in m and W, maximLlm charge weight per day in kg K value on the above equation has to be more specified for further understaring about the effect of explosives, Rock strength. And Drilling pattern on the vibration levels, it is necessary to carry out more tests.