Analysis of the dynamic response of a controlled detonation chamber

Detonation chambers (either mobile or fixed) are used worldwide for a wide range of applications. At present, a 1/7 scale model of a 1 ton detonation chamber is available for extended testing in Belgium. The chamber is a single wall cylindrical vessel with semi-elliptical ends. Each time an explosive charge is fired in the vessel, that vessel is submitted to a number of deformation cycles. A series of strain gages measure the deformation of the vessel walls. Experimental peak strains and vibration frequency can be compared to predicted values based on simple formulas. Measured values are reasonably close to the estimated values. The influence of the shape of the charge is studied. The shape has an important influence on the chamber response. For a fixed charge mass, a spherical charge causes less deformation than a cylindrical charge and is therefore advantageous from a fatigue point of view.