University of Rhode Island
Introduction to Explosives:
Chemistry & Physics
URI CHM 691h: Wednesday 5:30-8:00 pm. (credits 3)
Pastore 234 starting January 24
Course will begin with the historical development of explosives and include the safe handling of explosives, the kinetics of thermal decomposition, synthesis of explosives, shock phenomena, and explosive performance and safety testing. Proposed topics are shown. A graduate student course designed to be an overview to issues in explosives’ chemistry. Pre-requisite: B.A degree. Instructors: J. Oxley (URI) 401-874-2103; joxley@chm.uri.edu;
also instructors from FBI, National Laboratories, and commercial companies.
Text: Explosive Effects and Applications; Jonas A. Zukas & William P. Walters, Eds. Springer-Verlag, NY 1998. ISBN 0387982019 (Barnes & Noble $129).
OUTLINE
Categories of Explosives-high &
low explosives; primary, secondary, blasting agents
Definitions,
High and low blast effects
Confinement issues
Initiation of primary vs. secondary
Military vs. commercial requirements
Types of explosives: Military; Commercial; Improvised
History of Explosives and Civilian
Use of Explosives
Black powder (220-1800’s)
Nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin to dynamites (1840—1900’s)
TNT to HMX--military development (1900-1950)
Ammonium nitrate based—commercial development (1900-1970)
Recent developments (TATB use, CL20, high-nitrogen HEs)
Precursor Chemicals & Synthesis
Chemical
Families
Basic
of Explosive
Terrorist
Opportunities
Basics
of the Explosive Train
Safety & Hazards Evaluation Techniques
Impact; Shock; Spark; Friction
Explosive Performance
TNT
equivalents
Fragmentation
Quantity-Distance
Calculations
Evaluation & Testing
Shock Hugoniots
Shock Abatement, Corner Turning, Shaped
Charges
Damage Evaluation & Predictions
Cratering, Fragmentation,
Overpressure
Explosive Devices
Low
Explosives, Pipe Bombs, & Improvised Explosives
Landmines
Fuel-Air
Explosive Detection: Instrumentation & Challenges
Explosive Analysis
Crime Scene Processing
Introduction to
Explosives: Chemistry & Physics |
URI CHM 691h: Wed. 5:30-8:00 pm (3) |
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Topic |
Speaker |
Affiliation |
Jan |
24 |
Introduction
definitions-- high vs. low explosives; primary vs. secondary;
millitary vs. commercial |
Jimmie Oxley |
URI |
Jan |
31 |
Novel
Explosives primary explosives;
smokeless powders; Civil War ordnance; dust explosions |
Pete
Hefferan |
Cartridge
Actuated Devices |
Feb |
7 |
Small
Explosive Devices landmine, pipebombs, precursor chemicals |
Jimmie Oxley |
URI |
Feb |
14 |
Explosive
Analysis chromatography, MS,
DSC, NMR, IR, Raman, lab tour |
Jim Smith |
URI |
Feb |
21 |
Crime Scene
Processing |
Kelly Mount |
FBI HQ |
Feb |
28 |
Introduction
to Shock Waves
hydrodynamics, material properties, waves, CJ & ZND detonations |
Bill Davis |
Los Alamos
National Lab |
Mar |
7 |
Shock Wave
Theory & Dynamic Deformation
conservation equations, eos, impedance matching, reflection,
explosive/material interactions |
Naresh
Thadhani |
Georgia
Tech. |
Mar |
14 |
Spring Break |
|
|
Mar |
21 |
Synthesis rational for synthesis, basic
nitration techniques, synthesis of nitrate esters, nitramines, nitroarenes |
Mike Hiskey |
Los Alamos
National Lab |
Mar |
28 |
Synthesis new trends in synthesis, industrial
synthesis, improvised explosives and precursors |
Mike Coburn
& Oxley |
Los Alamos
National Lab |
April |
4 |
Explosive
Safety & Testing
Thermal Hazard, Impact, Friction, Electrostatic, DOT Regulations &
Testing |
Jimmie Oxley |
URI |
Friday |
6 |
Range
Demonstration |
|
|
April |
11 |
Explosive
Detection Bulk-Nuclear (TNA, PFNA),
radiation (NQR, X-ray, CT); Trace-chemiluminescene, IMS, dogs |
Jimmie Oxley |
URI |
April |
18 |
Detonation
& Instrumentation
Explosive Testing Instrumentation, witness plates, denting, shrapnel,
quantity distance rules, TNT equivalency, role of Al, |
John Ramsey |
Los Alamos
National Lab |
April |
25 |
Explosive
Effects & Applications detonation in cylinders, shaped-charges, sheet
explosives, propagation (Dcr, corners), FAE, damage evaluation &
prediction, applications |
Jim Kennedy |
Los Alamos
National Lab |