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)

 

 

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