and

A fuel-air explosion, for example one from a gasoline vapor and air mixture, is characterized by the circumstance that the explosive energy is initially distributed and released throughout a relatively large volume. This contrasts with an explo-sion from a material such as dynamite, where the energy release is initially con-centrated into a relatively small volume. Important aspects of distributed-energy explosions include ( 1) how these explosions compare and contrast with concentrated-energy explosions, particu-larly with regard to respective damage potentials and (2) what constitutes a valid index or criterion for damage potential. Reported here are the results of both theoretical and experimental studies made in these connections. Excellent correlation between theoretical considerations and experimental measurements has been obtained, largely through a new damage criterion for blast damage potential. This new proposed criterion appears to have substantial utility in the study both of distributed-energy and of concentrated-energy explosions. CONVENTIONAL DAMAGE CRITERI