Influence of the shape of an explosive charge: Quantification of the modification of the pressure field

Many scientific articles dealing with the detonation of explosive charges and their effects suppose that the charge is spherical and centrally initiated. Yet, when discussing the blast wave effect, the charge shape and the location of initiation could be as important as the composition or the mass of the considered explosive. Specifically, close to the charge, the shape may cause significant modifications of the pressure field compared to the predictions developed for spherical charges. Experiments have been carried out, using an emulsion explosive, TNT and C4, in order to quantify the shape effect. Unconfined, centrally initiated spherical and cylindrical charges with different length-to-diameter (L/D) ratios have been fired. The pressure in the median plane was recorded for different reduced distances. Results for spherical charges showed excellent agreement with well-known references. The expected change of the pressure field in the median plane of a cylindrical charge was observed, directly linked to the L/D ratio. Peak overpressure magnifications of up to almost 3 have been measured. The dimensions of the zone within which an increase of the blast wave effect is observed, have also been determined. A similar behaviour for TNT and C4 has been demonstrated; but a different behaviour has been observed for the emulsion explosive.