THE MECHANICS OF ENERGY TRANSFER

INTRODUCTION
 In order for explosive forming to be a useful technology, its important to be
able to estimate the amount of energy delivered by an explosive charge to
metal workpiece. The efficiency of energy transfer depends on
 1- the configuration of workpiece relative to the charge. For example if the
charge is exploded at the center of spherical workpiece , the energy is
maximized . A flat plate with the same surface area as the sphere will receive
far less energy from the energy delivered by the sphere.

   the properties of energy transfer medium. If the medium is perfect vacuum,
2-
little energy will be delivered to workpiece. If the medium is air , substantial
amount of energy will delivered. If water is used the energy will be more
effective than previous mediums.
 When a chemical explosive is detonated underwater. Its converted into an equal
mass of gas under a very high pressure . A primary shock wave travels out from
the gas bubble through the surrounding water. It have been estimated by
researchers that primary shock wave carry about 50% from charge energy.
 There are three methods for determining the energy delivered by the blank
 1- Geometrical method : based primarily on the specific energy of the
explosive (energy per sound) and the configuration of workpiece relative to the
explosive ( ratio of the solid angle subtended by a metal workpiece at the
charge center to the solid angle subtended by a sphere surrounding the charge)

ζc =)
 The total energy ET transferred into the blank is
 ζ1 ) W e
Where W is the weight of explosive & e is the specific energy of the charge
ζ1 is a gross measure of the effect of medium on energy transfer efficiency
 The factor ζ1 can be found in underwater explosion by the criteria
1/ ζ1 = 4.23 – 3.7 (L/D) for L/D ≤ 0.5
1/ ζ1 = 4.02 – 2.83 (L/D) for L/D ≤ 1

  
Example / Determine the total energy exerted on flat steel blank by TNT
explosives to be formed into doom shaped component with diameter of 2 m.
if the weight of explosives is 5 kg and the distance between the charge and
the blank is 1.5 m. (use the geometrical method)

 Solution/
 L/D = 1.5/2 = 0.75
 1/ζ1 = 4.02-2.83 L/D
 1/ζ1 = 1.8975 , ζ1 = 0.527
 Φ = tan-1 ( 2/2*1.5) = 33.69
 From table 2-1 TNT has specific energy 1.29* ft.lb/lb =3,858,609 j/kg
 ft.lb = 1.355 j & lb = 0.453 kg
 ET = 0.5 * ζ1 * (1-cos Φ ) * W * e
= 0.5 * 0.527* (1-cos 33.69) * 5* 3858609
= 853,805 j = 0.853805 Mj (Mega joule)
 ENERGY METHOD

   method is based on empirical formulae which were derived from measurements
This
of underwater explosions and can be applied only if water used as medium for
energy transfer
 The total energy delivered by the workpiece is

ET =
 Where C and G are constants related to explosive type
D is the die diameter, L is the distance between explosives and die
W is the weight of explosives

Explosive C G KB
TNT 390,000 2.05 4.36
Loose Tetryl 555,000 2.10 4.45
Pentolite 640,000 2.12 4.36
PETN 520,000 2.12 4.62
HBX_1 605,000 2.06 4.97
HBX_3 388,000 2.02 5.41

 Example
  / Determine the energy delivered on flat steel blank by
TNT explosives to be formed into circular shaped component with
diameter of 1 m. if the weight of explosives is 4 kg and the distance
between the charge and the blank is 800 mm. Use the energy
method
 Solution/
 Form table for TNT explosives
 C = 390,000 and G=2.05
 ET =
 ET =

= 1,535,652 j = 1.535 Mj
THE RELOADING PHASE OF UNDERWATER EXPLOSION
  slow down of the blank due to the resistance at its boundaries and
 The

the water between gas bubble and cavitated area called the reloading
phase
 It occurs immediately following the primary shock wave

 To compute the period of oscillation of gas bubble ( the time between

primary shock wave and secondary shock wave)

 TB :- Period of oscillation
 KB :- empirical explosive constant given by table 2.8
 W :- weight of explosive
 H :- water head i.e depth of submergence of explosive charge below the water
surface = 2 * distance between charge and water surface
 Ho = Atmospheric head = 33 ft of water
  
Example :- Compute the time period between primary and
secondary shock wave in under water TNT explosion with
weight of charge 5 lb. and the distance between center of
charge and water surface equals to 8 ft.

 Solution/
 KB = 4.36 for TNT explosives
 H= 2* distance between center of charge and water surface
= 2* 8 = 16
 = 4.36 * = 0.292 s
 The second shock wave is emitted 292 ms. After the primary shock wave