Computer simulation of underwater nuclear events

This report describes the computer simulation of two underwater nuclear explosions, Operation Wigwam and a modern hypothetical explosion of greater yield. The computer simulations were done in spherical geometry with the LASNEX computer code. Comparison of the LASNEX calculation with Snay's analytical results and the Wigwam measurements shows that agreement in the shock pressure versus range in water is better than 5%. The results of the calculations are also consistent with the cube root scaling law for an underwater blast wave. The time constant of the wave front was determined from the wave profiles taken at several points. The LASNEX time-constant calculation and Snay's theoretical results agree to within 20%. A time-constant-versus-range relation empirically fitted by Snay is valid only within a limited range at low pressures, whereas a time-constant formula based on Sedov's similarity solution holds at very high pressures. This leaves the intermediate pressure range with neither an empirical nor a theoretical formula for the time constant. These one-dimensional simulations demonstrate applicability of the computer code to investigations of this nature, and justify the use of this technique for more complex two-dimensional problems, namely, surface effects on underwater nuclear explosions. 16 refs., 8 figs., 2 tabs