Development of a large-diameter gas gun for studies of gage validation and dynamic material properties

A large diameter gas gun has been developed which fires a 4-ft diameter, 3,200 lb projectile downward at velocities up to 230 ft/sec. The impact of the projectile onto geologic or other material specimens beneath the gun provides precise shock environments for shock physics studies, especially the evaluation and validation of ground-motion instruments, and the development of dynamic material properties data for large specimens. This thesis describes the operating principle of the gun. A mathematical model of the gun is developed and compared with experiment results. Predictions of nuisance effects associated with testing, e.g., far-field ground motion and airblast, are compared with experiment results. Descriptions of target construction and testing procedures are given. Examples of stress and ground-motion data collected in sand targets are presented, as well as typical data-analysis procedures.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Theoretical and Applied Mechanics

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• White, Howard Grantham

Contributors dc:contributor

• Miller, Robert E.

• Applied Mechanics
• Geophysics

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1994 White, Howard Grantham

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9512594
(UMI)AAI9512594

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/19311