Some Experimental Indications of the Stresses Produced in a Body by an Exploding Charge

Abstract

The effects produced by small cylindrical charges that were detonated on the surfaces of heavy steel plates are discussed. Particular attention is paid to (a) shapes of crater, (b) changes in hardness, (c) flow patterns, (d) fractures, and (e) changes in microstructure. The distribution of stress appears in some respects to correspond to that which might be set up by a static load. The mechanisms of the inelastic deformation, however, differ very greatly between the static case and the dynamic case. Dynamic loading produces numerous shock twins and fractures that undoubtedly occur because of the very high strain rates involved.