Numerical modelling and evaluation of the detonation of non-ideal explosives applied to the optimisation of explosive choice for blasting operations

The University of Provence, Nitro-Bickford and Nitrochimie have collaborated for a number of years on projects relating to the numerical modelling of the detonation of non-ideal explosives. These projects have produced the model codes called HYDRO 3D, CINECALC and DETHEOCALC. This paper compares the output from these codes to data from experimental studies carried out under laboratory and field conditions. The experimental data used in these comparisons includes velocity of detonation, shock front radius of curvature and X-ray photography. Examples of 2D simulation are also given covering the detonation of explosives both as an unconfined cartridge and in granite. The use of these tools greatly enhances our understanding of the phenomenon of detonation and can be employed in the process of specifying an explosive product for a specific blasting operation.