Z

a
Gh Fs

Mee Lioo
rout he f

'
1

ef ei

“a.
Jf
“Ty

fe

.

tk

>
\

a

:

fot

a,
Vf a,
1
h

4

'

af

a

Lf

.

SAT

N
a

_

-

1,
,
A

4
‘4 .

. “¢
ie
Se

PN LOA
-

z

The altitudes tabulated have been computed from the telenetered ambient-pressure rec-

ords, using the meteorological data taken at Bikini (see Appendix B). The slant ranges have
been computed from the observed blast-arrival times and peak overpressures by using a
previously computed curve giving average blast-wave velocity as a function of peak over-

pressure, with corrections for the variation of sound velocity and wind component along the
propagation path from shot to gauge. This method of computing the slant range is discussed in
more detail in Appendix A.
All differential-pressure records show the blast-wave arrival as a true shock, that is, the
rise times are less than the time-resolution capability of the system, but in most cases there
are small departures from ideal shock-wave shape in the form of a slight rounding off of the
peak or of superimposed oscillations immediately following the shock front. The periods of the
oscillations (0.3 to 0.4 sec) are far too great to be attributed to any mechanical or electrical
resonances in the measuring system, but they could coincide with some motion of the canister
caused by the impact of the blast on the parachute. However, the recorded variations in RF
carrier signal strength show that large oscillations of the canister may take place without any
corresponding variation appearing on the pressure records. It is therefore considered probable that the pressure irregularities are not instrumental but are a real property of the blast
wave. It is suggested that they are caused by small-scale inhomogeneities or turbulence in the

atmosphere. The largest oscillations foun. in the present case (canister No. 2) have an amplitude of about 17 per cent of the peak overpressure. Attention is called to this fact because a
pressure perturbation that develops immediately behind the shock front will propagate forward
with a velocity greater than that of the shock front. This will result in a variation of presaure
at the shock front as successive peaks and troughs of the perturbation overtake it. ‘She possibility of an essentially random variation of this kind implies a limit to the reproducibility
and predictability of peak blast overpressure as a function of distance.
3.1.2

Thermal-radiation Data

The total thermal radiation registered by the successful canisters, together with their
respective slant ranges, are given in Table 3.2, The time-response curves, with ordinates in
millivolts output as they were read, rather than in gram calories, are given in Fig. 3.3, but
they are also labeled with the integrated thermal values as in Table 3.2. In Fig. 3.3 it is shown
Table 3.2-— THERMAL VALUES FOR MIKE SHOT (REVISED 20 APRIL 1953)*

Array

Slant
range,

2

21,130

3

22,790

1

13,180

8

24,740

9

49,180

position

ft

Total
thermal,

Peak intensity,

gcalem? gcealcem™’ sec"!
32
(18)
32
(22)

112

(124)
27
(23)
9

Rise in
temperature of

couple, C

Coatingt
oO

62.0

350
(210)
260
(210)

1260

A

12.0
(11)
2.0

260
(250)
90

o

17.0
(10)
12.0
(10)

oO

B

*Values in parentheses age those obtained assuming no change during
exposure in the zero between cold and hot junctions.
TCoatings: O, natural, not coated; B, blackened; and A, aluminized.

24
wf

RESTRICTED DATA (a SECURITY INFORMATION

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