Operational Prediction for Far Field Airblast Effects: Practical Experience at Caepe

摘要

During the firings of explosives or during the testing of solid rocket motors, detonation or deflagration generates high amplitude aerial shockwaves. Before performing a large-scale test, the commander of the facility must know what risks it can create for nearby populated areas according to local weather conditions : this corresponds to the French 2.5 security zone. The prediction system used at CAEPE is presented : the physical assumptions and numerical discretizations are reviewed. Key factors are studied and verifications are computed on two real situations. This prediction has been operationnally used since 1987 and this experience is summarized : the complexity of the numerical code is sufficient. However, the knowledge of weather conditions has to be improved in order to secure operational prediction. Long range acoustic levels due to high noise generation is also discussed. An example for the noise of ARIANE 5 launcher is described.