EARCH ~~ “RES! RIMENT OF, SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAI’R! WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND DEPAI The ; FINAL REPORT ee gi PROJECT “SEAL by Professor T. D. J. LEECH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY COL: EGE ARDMORE, NEW ZEALA JD. 18th December, 1950cory wo... DEPARTUINT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ‘WELLINGTON NEW 2RAL AND, ‘THE GENERATION OF WAVES BY MEANS OF EXPLOSIVES PROPESSOR T.D,J, LEECH School of Engineering AUCKLAND UNIVERSTTY COLLEOR ARDMORE, NEW ZEALAND, 18th December, 1950, IMPORTANT WoTE Seal" Project is regarded as a joint United States/lew Zealand projeot. Disclosure of the report op any infor- mation therein to a third country other then the United Kingdom is prohibited. without the consent of the appropriate authorities in the United States of america and New Zealand,SUMMARY, ‘The project "SEAL" had its origin in a requost of the Commander South Pacific Area (COMSOPAC) during April 19k4, to the New Zealand Government for an investigation into the potentialities of offensive inundation by waves generated by means of explosives, During the period from February fe April 1944 exploratory trials in New Caledonia indicated that there were reasonable prospects of developing technie Ques for favourable sites, The request incorporated to Phases ~ the development of techniques, and the application of these to a trial upon an operational scale, Owing to changes in policy at a later date, the second part was cancelled, ane Work was carried out by the 2th Army Troops Company, Hew Zealand Engineers with the co-operation of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, The U,8. Navy and the Royal Her Zealand Hevy between the 6th June, 194, and the 8th January, 1945, ome 3,700 experiments wore’ carried out with charges’ ranging from 0.06 lb, to 600 1b, in weight, T.N,T, waa used generale jy, although C.2., nitro-starch and geliginite were used in some cases, On the 25th July 1946, the second atom bomb trial took place at Bikini Atoll, under conditions permitting of direct Gomparisons with forecasts based upon the work of the "aEAti Unit. These forecasts were verified within the limits of experimental error, The investigations lead to the conclusion that offensive inundation 4s possible under favourable circumstances. Given ng forshores and @ shelving bottom off-shore, wave des of the order of those for recorded tidel waves, Which have been disastrous, can be obtained. hile T.NT, or other explosives can be uscd, the engineering work specially qvolved introduces difficulties of considerable magnitude, The, use of stomic bombs es multiple charges may be more pract= Ageble. The following matters of detail have been eatabiiahe ed: (2) There is an improvement in the amount of energy transferred from the explosive to the water in the form of wave motion with increasing sizes of charges, (paragraph 11,7), (») The use of explosives at the upzer critical depth adjacent to the water surface offers the advantages of higher performance and convenience as compared > with deeply submerged charges (paragraph 62. (c) The use of multiple charge arrangements imparts directional properties to the wave pattern, and produces markedly increased wave amplitudes along the axis of symmetry of the charge positions (paragraph 12,81), Single charges ave impracticable (parsgraph 15.3), Compered with recorded tidal waves, the wave lengths of ihe Weves generated by explosives arc smaller fon given amplitudes,Page 2, ratio of th th of water to the wave length the cher important, because for depths than one~half the wave length, the energy + iency falle rapidly with decrease in depth ¢ h Tel). (e) raulic model studies are imperative before an ment of the effects of inundetion can be » and for the jetermination of the best arrenge= ition of charges (paragraph 15,6), rges, the empirical relationships mn confirmed by the o ations made during the second Atomic Bomb trial kind on the 25th July 1946 (paregraph t 15.4). work has yet to be done before all red to be in a sat ases of the actory position, | | | | |COMMENT Upon concluding thie report, the Commander of Seal, No, 1 Unit, vacated his position as Professor of Engineering, Auckland University College, to become Chief Mgineer, Scientific Services Branch, The Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Authority, Australia, 411 the experimental data is held by the Depart- ment of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Zealand, and any information concerning it or this report should be cddressed to ~ The Principal Secretary, Defence Science Secretariat, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Box 18, Government Buildings, Wellington, C,1., NEY ZEALAND,PREVIOUS "SEAL" REPORTS, First Progress Report to Comsopac Second Third Fourth Fifth Interin Report"SEAL" PROJECT, INITIAL DISTRIBUTION LIST. The Chief of the General Staff, New Zealand The Chief of the Naval Staff, New Zealand The Chief of the Air Staff, New Zealand N.Z, Joint Staff Miseion, Washington, U.S.A, N.Z, Joint Staff Mission, Washington, U.S.A., for transmission to appropriate United States Military Authorities N.Z, Scientific Liaison Officer, Washington, U.S, A. N.Z, Scientific Adviser, London, U.K. Chief Scientist, Ministry of supply, United Kingdom, via New Zealand Scientific Adviser, London, U.K. Director, Royal Naval Scientific Service- Admiralty, United Kingdom, via New Zealand Scientific Adviser, London, U.K. Scientific Adviser to the Army Council, United Kingdom, via New Zealand Scientific Adviser, London, U.K, Director of Scientific Research, Admiralty, United Kingdom, via New Zealand Scientific Adviser, London, U.K, Scientific Adviser to 4ir Ministry, United Kingdom, via New Zealand Scientific /dviser, London, U.K, Defence Documents fection, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Zealand © @ VON FW we 10 11 pe 13 15a THE GENERATION 0: Introduction g Energy Considerations 7 Wave Generation by means of Falling Weights: 3.1 Introduction 8 Ivo Dimensional studie Three Dimensional Studi 12 Wave Generation by Means of Explosives: 4.1 Introduetion 13 4.2 Qualitative studies Uy 4.3 Preaentation of Experimental Observations 4,51 Linear Dimensions at Source 16 4.32 Linear Dimensions of Wave System 16 4,35 Correction of Observations to Deep Water Conditions 16 4.34 Correction of Observations for Ploat Inertia 16 44,35 Bxplosives a 4.36 Dispersion 18 4.37 Rnergy Output of Explosive 20 4.4 “Bffect of Charge Position relative to Raft 2a 4,5 Effect of Variations in Position of Raft relative to Water Level 22 4.61 Variation in Raft Thickness 25 4,62 Effect of Changes in Raft Size 27 4.65 Effect of Changes in Aspect Ratio 28 4.6 Properties of Raft Material 29 4.7 “Miscellaneous Effects: 4.71 Bffect of Changos in Raft trim 30 4.72 Effect of Distributing Charge over Raft 3 4.73 Box Rafts 31 47h Barges 32 4.75 Influence of Sand beneath Charge in Barge 3B 4.76 Effect of Covers on Barges 4,77 Plaster Darges 3 4.78 Directional Charges 35 4.79 Geometrically Similar Charges on Rafts 36 4,81 Investigation into "Scale uffect™ 37 4,82 Depth Charges on Rafts 38 Generation of Waves by Surface Charges without Rafts: 5.1 Effect of Orientation of Rectangular Charges, 39 5.2 Comparieon of Priming Methods io 3 Explosives other than 7,W,t ha Tg qonrges fired adjacont to'Water Level fi Wave Generation by Submerged Changes? 6.1 ‘Theoretical Notes 42 6.2 Submerged Charges-Erfect of Depth of ‘ Charge hb The Effect of Water Depth: 7.1 Introductory 7 Review of Work done Elsewhere: 3.1 United Kingdom 2 United States 3 Japan ‘Page 2 TE Page 9.0 Introduction 55 10,0 ‘The Law of Amplitude Decay: -1 Theoretical Consideration 55 10.2 ‘Three Dimensional Systens, Surface ‘Charges 56 Three Dimensional Systems, Submerged a Charges 58 Multiple Charges 58 11.0 acteristics of lave Group Theoretical Summary for Nunber of Waves in a Group 58 11,2 Number of Waves in a Group~Bmpirical Relationship 61 Interpretation of Records - Surface Charge 61 Interpretation of Records - Submerged Charge 63 Anelysis of Wave Grouns - Surface Charges on Rafts 6), Analysis of Wave Groups ~ Submerged j Charges 68 Energy Efficiency 69 Sealing Laws a: Wave Lengths 5 11:10 Wave Velocities 7% 12,0 Multiple charges: 12.1 Introduction 7 12.2 Significant quantities 77 12,31 Linear Arrangements, Two Charges 2 12.32 Linear Arrangements, Three Charges 82 12.33 Linear Arrangements, Four Charges oh 12.3 Miscellaneous Linear Arrangements 86 12,35 Values of "n" for Linear Charges 88 12.36 Nunber of iaves in a Group 88 12,37 Wave Longthe 83 22,58 Discussion upon Lincer Char es 59 12.11 Charges in the form of Vees, ‘Three Charges 90 12,42 Charges in the form of Vees, Four Charges 92 43 Charges in the form of Vees, Five Charges ou 12, Values of "n" for Veo Arrangenents oh 12.45 Number of faves in a Group 96 12:6 Wave Lengtha 96 12.47 Discussion upon Vee Arrangements 96 12,51 Charges in the form of Parabolas, Four Charges 96 12,52 Charges in the form of Parabolas, Five and Ten Charges 96 12,55 Number of Waves in a Group 99 12,5), Wave Lengths 39 12,55 Discussion upon Parabolic Arrengenents 99 12,61 Charges Arranged On Circular Ares 99 12.71 Form of Wave Pattern in Plan 101 12,61 Summary - Multiple Charges 102 12,82 Prediction of Wave Ampltidue 102 13.0 Some Anomalies: 13.1 Effect of Water Depth 103 13.2 The Induced Wave Train 103 PPage 3, 14,0 Behaviour of Wavos Adjacent to Shore Lines: Uj.1 Introduction and’ Observations on Tunamd Us,21 Gome Theoretical Considerations, Grocn's Law ij.22 The Detect of Depth 14.23 Tho Bffcct of Breadth Uj. 2h Wave Velocity 1.25 Velocity due to Gradual Riso in Vator Level Us.26 Effect of Slope of Bea Bed 14.27 Change in \iave Height due to Oblique Propagation 14,31 Experimental Apppoach, The Brftect of Shoaling fater 4 1.32 Bohaviour of Waves on a shelf 4.33, Bffect of Changes in Breadth U.U1 Miscellaneous Notes 14,42 Storm ‘aves BECTION 117 15,1 Geope of the Section 15.2 aronui Bay 15.3 Bstimates of Performance in Deep Water for Large Single Charges 15.4 Batimates for the Second Bikini ‘Atom Bomb Trial 15.5 Outline of Computations upon which Estimates were based 15,62 lfodel Criteria ~ Introduction 16.62 Wave Goneration 15.65 Limits to Scale Yactors 15.6 Lower Limit to Model Size 15.65 Further Significant Quantities 15.66 Behaviour above Normal Water * Lo 15,67 Charactoristic Channel Flow Non-Uniform 15.60 Summary EXPERDGNTAL EQUI 16.1 Introduction 16,2 Field Uxverimental Station, Whangaparaca 16.5 Bxperimenta2 pool 16.4 Float Type Wave Recording Zquipnent 16,, Accelerometers for Recording Characteristics of Largo Waves 16.51 Capacity Type Wave Recording Equipment 16,52 Principles of iethoa 16.61 Ultra High Prequeney Radio Piring Bquipment 16.62 General sonono 16,63 Tranemittor 16,64 Operation16. 7: 17.1 eel 19,1 16.65 Servicing 16,66 Rating 16,67 Receiver 16.65 Aligning 16.69 General 1 Remote Control Exploder 16.72 Operation 16.73 Description of Apparatus 16,7. Receiver 16.75 Test Procedure 16,76 General Miscellaneous Conclusions 18,2 Suggestions for Further Work Acknowledgements Referen APPENDICES I Gravity Wi Underw: ves Produced by Surface and ater Explosicns, Dr. W.G, Penny, II Notes on the Taylor-Penny Analysis, dlar.LIST OF PLATES, General View of gloss walled tank with capacity type wave recording units in place, Successive photographs of the initiation of a two- dimensional wave train by means of s falling weight, Successive photographe of the initietion of an approximately two-dimensional wave train by means of a fire cracker, 4, Suocessive photosraphs of the initiation of # wave train by means of a 4,25 1b, T,M,T, A/T block fired vith 0.0, of block at Jater ievel, (Series 147. in), 5. Successive photograzhs of the initiation of a wave train by means of a 4.25 1b, T.¥.T., A/T. block primed with powdered nitro-atarch and No. & electric detonator, 0,0, of block at water level, (Series 166,116) 6. Successive photographs of the initiation of a wave train by means of a 4.25 1b, T.N.T, 4/T block, primed with 2 02, 6.B., No.8 electric detonator fired with C.G, of block 5 ft, below water level in 13 ft, of water (Series 147.48) Charges used in "Seal" project. 8. Typical record given by float-type re: -N.T, charge on r: der for 4,2 t, whose bottom was 3 in, below water level, (Series 147,163), Typical record given by TNT. float=' harge located recorder for 4.25 1b. + below water level, WA. 12/1 1b, nitrostarch charges in @ line spaced at 12,4 epart in water ll ft, déep (Series 17h.1), 108, 10/1 1b, nitrosterc y2' = 15x, spac Geep (Series 169, ft. the form of a parabola, apart in water Uy ft, 11, Taronui Bay, 12, Whangaparaca Bxperimentel Station, 13. Float type wave recording equipment, 44, Typical Accelerometer unit for rccording vertical wave accelerations from which wave amplitudes, wave lengths and wave velocities can be obtained, 15. Capacity type wave recording equipment. 16, U,H.P, radio firing equipment, 17. Remote control exploder, A..D.B. Pattern, Vodel Barge for 1,30 1b, charges. Barge for 600 1b, charges,AntRopuonion, 2,1 oRio: OW pRosRor : Project "eal", on the anvostigation of the yotentiel- Atioo of snundation’by moans of artificially produce tidele Waves arove from a wugceation made by ving Commander Hea: Gibson to Lieutenant General Aix Baward Pubtiek, Chior’ of General Stas (i1.2.) on tho 15th January 19kli.'The former hed noted, whilot engaged upon eurveys in the Pacific Area Guring thé period 1936 to 1842, thet blasting eoeeetsone Bpon suimerged coral formation occasionally were attended | by Unexpectedly lenge waves, General Puttick instructed Golonel Oli. Salmon, the Ny2, Chiefs of Start Representative inthe South Pacific area (Gauedsopac) to place the proposes before Admiral W.P. Halsey, Commander of the South Protas Aree (Consopac).” Arrangensnta wore made for Wing Commander Gibson, Professor J.M, Snodgrass, University of Galifornise Division of War Research, who was then in the eres iogeatae Gating cortain problems Felating to submarine warfare, and Professor T.D.J. Leech, who was acting Director of Selenti= Fie Developments, Wow Zealand, to examine the idea at Noumea in February 195i). 2.1 NEW CALEDONIAN BXPER TIONS ; Tt was decided to test the suggestion by ad hoo trials under the guidance of team comprising Captain WL. Brdmen, U.8.1., Colonel Salmon, Wing Commander Gibson, Professors Snodgrass and Leech, Exploratory work was undertaken for the purpose of determining: (2) The influence of certain variations in charge size and shape; (b) The directional oftects of a series of surface charges arranged to conform with certain geometrical patterns, (c) Gome idea of the mechanio of the action, 2 The results were incorporated in a report dated 31st March 1944, which was approved by Admiral Helsey and trans- mitted by him to the New Zealand Chiefs of Staft with a request that New Zealand undertake further investigations, 8 shown by the following extract: "The results of these experiments, 4n my opinion, show that inundation in amphibious warfare has definite and fer Feaching possibilities as an offensive weapon, It would bo very desirable to have further developments carried out to establish a practicable method and procedure which could be | used in offensive warfare, I would be grateful if this devel~ pment could be continued’ to completion by Now Zealand offie- ere, All practicable assistance of facilities and personnel 4n thie Command will be at your disponal. #the word "Tidal" 18 not atrictly correct. jiowever, since bjective was the production of effects similar to tose naturally occurring tidal waves, the adjective 4 for tho want of a better vord,Page 2, 2.3 Admiral Halsey's request was examined by the New Zealand WD Giince of stort Comittce, and proyeceie tor’ anplomseistian were submitted to and approved by the War Cabinet on the 5th Key, They provided for the establishment of an Army Rescarch Unit under the command of Professor Leech, who would be Girectly responsible to the Minister of the Armed Forces ana Wer Co-ordination, Sir William Perry. 3.1 THE 2u0H ARSIY TROOPS COMPANY, NZ. ‘Tho establishment of the Research Unit, known as the 2uth Army Troops Company, N.Z.E,, provided for the following Sections: Ea Headquarters Section (N.Z. Army) Research Section (D.5. Works Section (R.N.2.A.2. Photographic Section’ (RwN.Z.A.P. Explosives Section (U.8:N.) @ D.8.1.R.). Total i This unit wes only partielly manne, The Headquarters Section was responsible for personnel, security end messing matters, The Research Section wae under the direct control of the Commanding Officer, The Vorke Section was responsible for all constructive work, The Explosives Section was made up of specialist officers and petty officers of the U.8.N, Apart from the Headquarters Seetion, the others were responsible for meeting the techni- cal requirements of the Research Section, 4,1 EXPERIMENTAL ae The original suggestion for utilizing the fortress site on the Whangeparaoa Peninsula in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand Was adopted, It was reasonably close to Auckland’ ond the existing Army buildings had recently been reduced to a "oare and maintenance” basis, From the viewsoint of security it was favourably situated. Close to the area, there were Several sites suitably located for the larger experiments proposed, To cater for the anall acale work, designed to Gctermine the principles involved, an earthen dam was con- Structed in ono of the valleys, which provided an experimental pool approximately 1,200 ft, lonc, 200 ft. wido and with depths varying in steps to 2h ft, 462 Ip addition to provision for basic development at Whangeperace, plane wero eid for an operations! test in Now Zealand at Teronui Bay, North Auckiand, betwoon the bay of Islands end Whangaroa, ‘This was later abandoned, 4.3, The instrumentation associated with the Research Station galled for considerable ad hoc development, Remotely records Ane Wave mochaniems, redio controlled firing and manoeuvring devices had to be developed, ‘These and many other detaila Orly att to the prototype stage and operated satistact- oily. 4e4 It was originally intended that Leoch would be assiated by 8 senior group comprising Professor Snodgrass and two gminent Australian hydraulic engineers, Messrs, T.A, Lang and After protracted negotiations theseje SOPH OF WORK AT WHANOAPARAOA t Contemporancously with the setting up of the Experi- Brigedicr 2,3, ’Park were able to discuss the question with U.K, scientists interested in cognate problems, These dncluded Sir Geoffrey Taylor, Adviser to the Admiralty, Professor 3.D, Dllis, together with Professor Chapman ana Dr, W.G, Penny of tho Imeriel College of Science and Tech~ nology, These scientists had been interested in the study of the effects of firing submerged charges; and with tho exception of Sir Geoffrey Taylor, all were pessimistic, Somewhst later, Dr, Marsden discussed the problem with Dr. Vanevar Bush in'Washington, and his views were more encouraging. Gonerelly the points of view adopted wore based upon thooretical analyses developed for single charges located et considcrable depths. Subsequent experimental vork @enonstrated thet the assumptions made in the development of the analyses were invalid for charges fired close to the surface, 5.2 The New Zealand approach to the problem was essentially experimentel, While efforts were made to produce a satis factory theory to explain the mechanism of vave generation with cxplosive charges close to the water surface, the mathe- matical difficulties proved intractable. However, the contri- butions by Sir Geoffrey Taylor and Dr, Penny were invaluable in the examination of a number of factors, 5.3 Detailed studies o” the behaviour of single charges were jade, The results demonstrated that single charges were inefficient in regerd to wavo production, However, a most significant factor was revealed, which accounted for the gsrlier observations (para 1.1) of occasional abnormally 2srgo waves, There is a small critical depth for the position of the contre of gravity of the charge below the vater surface, at wiih the exchange of cnergy from the explosive to the Wave tunica maximum, Stall deviations from this eritical depth, which is a function of the weight of the charge and the natwo of the caplocivo} -are-inceempaniodcby. narkedly rapid decreases in the resultant wave energy, This fact called for the precise location of charges in the later Gaperiments, This shallow critical depth was unsuspected by the U.K, authorities, who had been tiinking in torma of a critical depth of much eater magnitude, For a submerged charge, it had been shown by Penny that, when fired at this greater critical depth, the gas bubble attained its maximum Size on breaking the surface and was able to produce the Greatest wave amplitudes, These amplitudes were found to be jess than those produced when the charges were located at the Shallow critical depth discovered in the N.Z, oxperimonte. 2,4 The use of multiple charges suitably located to conform Tot oegometrioal patterns was found to give eupendos seaults, hot only as regards wave amplitudes, but in cextain cosce Pronounced directional effects were produced, In ali theao geses the resultant wave amplitudes were genaitive to charge Spectng, and charge location, The shape of the charge wos also imortant, 6,1 SOMB DIFFICULTIES Shortly after the "SEAL" Unit commenced operations on sre oth, June 19u4, there was a change in the homeco of the pouth Pacttic Area, This, combined with the maw a eations by senior officers, rasulted in changes of policy, w: at having due regard to the tochnical airfieutties . a8.4 to to be realized that time is require enont experimental programcs, AG a result f the 6,2 It was aleo unfortunate that the majority 0: sutrorities were originally pessimistic, Subsequent even! clearly demonstrated that, because of the absence of pe Bonal contact, they had based their deeieions upon the effects of charges placed at the greater critical depth, and were ot the timo unfamiliar with the eaiatence of the sccon and more pertinent critical depth neer the surface. These | foctors, combined with the growing ascendency of the Allie Nations’ in the Pacific theatre, reduced the operational riority of the project and caused the Now Zealand Government %o close it down in Januory 1945, before the full experimental programme was completed and tho fundamental scientific pro- blems were solved, ts Jol SITUATION WHEN EXPERIMENTAL WORK The experimental station at Whangaparaoa wes closed down on the 8th, Janusry, 1945, At this time some 3,700 experi~ ments hed been carried out with charges ranging from 0,06 1b, to 600 1b, in weight, '.N,T, was used generally, although €.8,, nitro-starch and gelignite were employed in some cases, ‘The evidence resulted in the following conclusioni (a) Offensive inundstion is possible under certain favourable conditions, (b) Compared with recorded facts relating to tidal waves, amplitudes of the same order of magnitude can be produced, but their wave lengths arc shorter. (c) The efticiency of conversion from explosive enerey to wave energy increases materially as the charge weight is increased, (4) Explosives used close to the water surface produce superior reaults a8 compared with charges at greater depths, Tho location of the charge ic critical. From practical considerations of manocurvriag this feature is advantageous, (2) The use of single charges is not promising, but multiple charges suitably spaced and located With rogard to geometrical consideratione produce superior results, (2) In 1944, the detonation of large masses of explosive presented a major insolved problem. lowever, aubsc— quent developments have shown that this necd’not be regarded as a sedeur problem, Serious (g) With charges of 7... of the order of 2,000 tons divided into, say, ten equal amounts and’ suitably disposed, wave amplitudes of the order of 3 to 40 ft, are within the bounds of possibility at distances approximating 5 miles off-shore, given favourable and commonly found sea-bottoma, The use of models similar to those used in Hydraulics Laboratories is imperative to determine the suitability of apy given site and the best method of attack,"8,1 SUBSEQUENT EvENTS : In 1946 Dr. Karl Compton, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Breluation Boerd, visited Now Zealand and discussed the Seat Poject with Leceh, who had been invited to represent New Zealand and Avetraiia in a technical capacity at the second Bikini atom bomb trici, The latter was unable to sccept the invitation becouse of the critical conditions at the Auek~ land University College. However, he supplicd data relative $0 the location of the charge at the critical depth nearer the water surfcacetogether with forecasts of wave amplitudes at predetermined points at which wave recorders were to be established, ‘The records wore, it wes reported subsequently, in agreement with the forecasta within the limite of experi mental error. 8,2 In February 1947, Leech was invited by the Assistant Seeretary, U,%, Navy, to work with Doan Ml.P,0'Brien, Profess— or-in-charge of the Department of Engineering, University of Galifornia, upon the analysis of records obteined at Bikini, Again, the continuing critical conditions at the Auckland University College forced the Council to withhold its per- mission, During 1948, the University of California publish- ed a nunber of papers’ relating to certain phases of the project, Since 1946, severel requests for the final report have been made by Dr. H, Marsden, N,Z, Scientific Liaison Officer, London, andthe U.S, Bmbassy in New Zealand, During 1950 circumstances changed suffic- ft an effort being made to complete the report, 2 time a small group of post-graduate engineering students of Auckland University College became available and three of these have taken up small projects designed to fi11 gaps in the work done earlier, ‘The projects are:~ (a) Studies upon certain anomalous effects when waves approach shoaling bottoms, (R.A. Marshall, B.Sc.) (b) The review of and the development of methods designed to dissipate wave energy, (N.B, Carter.) (c) A study in the augmentation of wave amplitudes by the application of surface impacts in series, (K.D.T, Shores), Atthe end of the year theses will be br the work done under these headings, Mee 10,1 SOOPE OF THE REPORT, The accompanying report will summarize the pr facts which have emerged trom the analysis of a considerable umber of observetions, The approach to the several issues has been primarily empirical, Dr, Penny's treatment for deep charges does furnish some significant results and for con- venience it has been included as an appendix,2,0 IrmRopuerion 2,1 Three methods of generating wave systems have been exam— ined: (2) Waves produced by an impulse at the surface, which mey take the form of mechanical impact by a solid or the expansion of a gas near the water surface, Waves produced by the expansion of the gas bubble resulting from the explosion of a submerged charge. (o) (c) Waves produced by the action of a relatively slow displecement under the water surfece, aa 2,2 The first method is discussed in detail in this report, The impact of a solid body, or of the gas liberated by an explosion, with the water surface creates a cavity surrounded by an elevated fringe of water from which the wave system @evelops, arly work in New Caledonia with 600 1, depth charges fired at depths varying from 150 to 600 ft, produced Gisappointing results, and these observations led to the Getsiled oxemination of this method. 1,38 The second method hes been considered, theoretically by Penny (1) (Appendix II), and Kirkwood (2), Restricted experimental work (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) has been carried out in the United Kingdom and United States of America, Further experi- mental work uson thie method of wave generation is discussed in thie report and mony hitherto obscure soints neve boon in pert clarified, ‘The oritical discussion of the New Zeal- and work in (7) Was based upon rough exploratory experiments, and is therefore no longer applicatie, 1,52 iihen @ charges ie fired at a considerable depth a gas bubble 1s formed which expands beyond an equilibrium con Gition (5, 8), ond given sufficient depth it will contract again beyond @ second equilibrium condition, For great Gepthe it will expand again and the cycle will be repeated successively until the bubble breaks through tne water surface, Just prior to breaking the surface (venting) a dome i’ formed and the veter thus elevated bringe about the ) initial development of the surface wave system, After vent- ing a cavity ie formed which upon collapse gives rise to the Becond phase of the wave system, At considerable distances from the source of the two phases, 9 wave croup is formed, Theoretically (1) whore the depth of the charas is just equal to the radius of the bubble produced, the wave amplitudes Reach their maximum values, Experimentally the ratio of eherge depth to maximum bubble radiue accommenied by mai- mun Wave amplitudes is epproximately 0.65 (5), The charge depth for this condition has been termed the oritieal depth; but, because of the existence of another critical charge posi- tion nearer the surfece, thie will be known in what follows 8 the lower critical depth, as distinct from the second or er_critical denth, This Second depth has not been mentioned available references, ‘The transfer of explosive energy wave energy in the case of charges fired at the lower itical depth is less than in the case whore similar charges © fired at the upper critical depth,Page 7. 2 id me has been examined in Japan (9,10), ig Seg sted Ms Nnaei tlhe leven eeeden by geismic disturbances) have their origin in submerged ae @isplacements, such es slips, At the Earthquake Researcl Institute, Tokyo Imperial University, during 1933 small Seale cxpcriments were carried out in which waves wore Generate: oy ihe movenont of a piston at the bottom of Sieliov tank, These waves possessed characteristics simi— Ter t those ‘often experienced during or just after earth quskes, 1.5 In the following discussion a number of bssic ideas aie procented with the view of rotionalizing the analysis of the experimental results, During the early stages of, the investigation attempts were made to oxtend the analyti— eel studies of Cauchy and Poisson (11), to explain the exploratory observations without success, The theoretical treatments of Penny (1), Kirkvood (2) and Taylor (3) likewise fail to explain the behaviour resulting from charges located it the upper critical depth, Becouse of these limitations, and the necessity of obtaining data, which at the time could be repidly used for operational planning, en empirical analysis of the >roblem was undertaken, 1,52 Scaling laws have been attempted (1, 2, 5, 7) upon the aaeumption that the efficiency of energy transfer from ex- Plosive to wave energy waa constant, The evidence avail- able shows tis to be incorrect, Accordingly a different approach hes been wherein approximations based upon experimental observations have been adopted, 1,61, In order to gain some appreciation of the mechanism of wave generation by surfece impact two series of experi ments were carried out (13), The first series was conducted ina glass sided channel into which masses of rectangular form were dropped from varying heights, The second comprised observations of wave characteritics when masses were dropped into e pool. From these several important features productive of waves were noted, ‘ 1.6 hte upon possible metiiods of offensive in- Undation placed emphasis upon means for transporting and Manocuvring large quantities of explosive. In this way the ascocistion of charges with rafte developed, and much of the experimentel work involved charges apported by rafts, Further, the use of multiple charges located according to definite Beometrical patterns originated in the qualitative study of td Ripples produced by gangs of electric sparks ina tank, 2,0 ENERGY CONSIDERATIC 2.1 ‘the energy por unit length of 9 single & Of oseiliatian in deep water is given by (12) re ee ee He om By = eH Ma - 405 -Q) ven ai hero w 49 the opecitic wel : ght of tne wat 208 H is the wave height from & er 4 is the wave length, rguah fo cnests cial ai pe oy. cite een 2 trevmeentogl taSeRItAlgbte cHpensmente results shows. on Bie hove aes PRY fH, OLS wavesATE A glass» /lea fank hype war recorsing nls ia plo-e. PLATE 14, Typicit Acceleromerer vat for recording vertical wave vecelerations from which wave a ware 01g 1hs and ware eai \ + vl ¢ Hi bit - Bee nik \ 3 \ a. . - 6 Successive Photographs of the initiali a two-dimensional wave train by means of a falling weight -css Photographs of the initiation Fa Beoximately two- dimensional AUD i by means of a fire crac her. mEATE 3.} means nitro mney , reneai CikIl. faa UE starr Mall 2 =e ceLOOKING KANTi cine move aaron feng ~ PLATE 12 Whangaparoa Experiential StationDEPARTMENT OF, SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAIg“RESEARCH WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND The Cony No... FINAL REPORT PROIECT# DEC! BY nd DATE: _ ACTION wt of ven 19 wo. SO) - Professor T. D. J. LEECH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY COt EGE ARDMORE, NEW ZEALA {0 18th December, 1950 EAL eens Daas <