Developing an Accurate Debris Composition Prediction Algorithm for Urban Detonations

Year
2016
Author(s)
Jerrad P. Auxier - Department of Nuclear and Radiological Engineering
Howard L. Hall - Department of Nuclear and Radiological Engineering, Institute for Nuclear Security
Abstract
It is crucial that the collection time for surrogate melt glass created during a nuclear detonation be shortened to help decrease the total analysis time required. Fallout maps generated using programs similar to the Department of Defense Fallout Prediction System needs to be updated to accurately depict damage from the thermal and shock effects of a weapon in an urban environment; and determine accurate melt glass matrices created from that urban location. This will help future researchers predict where the desired material will be deposited in specific cities. To complete this task, the software packages will be updated to account for city infrastructure, geographical topography, and weather conditions during the detonation.