Revisiting the theoretical prediction of the explosive performance found by the Trauzl test

Abstract

The Trauzl lead block test allows the determination of the approximate performance of explosives in blasting applications by measuring the volume increase (expansion) that is produced by the detonation of an explosive charge in the cavity of a lead block. In this paper, we reconsider the possibility of interpreting the Trauzl test results in terms of detonation parameters or quantities. The detonation parameters used in the analysis are calculated using the thermochemical code EXPLO5, while the hydrocode AUTODYN is used to simulate the effect of explosive charge density and reaction rate on the results of the Trauzl test. The increase in the volume of the lead block cavity was found to correlate best with the product of the detonation heat and the root of the volume of detonation products. Hydrocode simulation showed that the density of explosive charge and the rate of explosive decomposition affect the dynamics of the interaction of the detonation product and the lead block, and consequently the lead block cavity volume increase.

Keywords

• Trauzl lead block test
• Performance of explosives
• EXPLO5
• AUTODYN
• Detonation heat