Dynamic response of a detonation vessel

Detonation vessels are used for a wide range of applications. They are generally designed for a specific use and are built to withstand the impulse induced by the detonation of a given maximum mass of explosive. In general however, the characteristics of the explosive charge however are not specified. It is assumed to be spherical and is usually expressed as a TNT-equivalent mass of explosive. Extensive testing of various explosive charges in a small scaled cylindrical vessel has led to several important recommendations for a better (more rational) use of impulsively loaded vessels. The shape of the explosive charge has been shown to be crucial in the loading on the vessel wall: peak deformations can vary by a factor of two with varying charge shape. A "worst case" charge shape can be found for every vessel. Experiments have shown as well the large benefit of splitting one large charge into two half charges separated by a certain distance: the vessel response is significantly reduced in the latter case. Changing the charge location in a cylindrical vessel for different shots also allows to extend the vessel lifetime by spreading the location of largest deformation over a large area of the vessel wall instead of concentrating the impulse on the same location for every shot. Finally no major influence of the location of the initiation of the charge has been observed.