Explosive Engineering Design and Analysis
Expert-defined terms from the Postgraduate Certificate in Explosive Engineering course at HealthCareCourses (An LSIB brand). Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
**Ammonium Nitrate (AN)** #
**Ammonium Nitrate (AN)**
A chemical compound with the formula NH4NO3, used as a fertilizer and, in its in… #
A chemical compound with the formula NH4NO3, used as a fertilizer and, in its industrial form, as an oxidizing agent in explosives, such as in ANFO (ammonium nitrate/fuel oil) mixtures.
**ANFO** #
**ANFO**
A mixture of ammonium nitrate (AN) and fuel oil, used as an industrial explosive #
ANFO is initiated by a booster explosive, usually a detonating cord.
**Blast Analysis** #
**Blast Analysis**
The process of analyzing the effects of an explosion, considering factors such a… #
The process of analyzing the effects of an explosion, considering factors such as charge weight, distance from the blast, and structural properties of the surrounding environment.
**Blast Design** #
**Blast Design**
The process of planning and creating an explosion to achieve specific outcomes,… #
The process of planning and creating an explosion to achieve specific outcomes, taking into account factors such as charge weight, explosive type, and initiation sequence.
**Blast Energy** #
**Blast Energy**
The total energy released during an explosion, consisting of both kinetic energy… #
The total energy released during an explosion, consisting of both kinetic energy (from the motion of gas products) and thermal energy (from the heat generated by the reaction).
**Blast Fragmentation** #
**Blast Fragmentation**
The process by which an explosion breaks up materials into smaller pieces, often… #
The process by which an explosion breaks up materials into smaller pieces, often used in mining and quarrying.
**Blast Pressure** #
**Blast Pressure**
The force exerted by an explosion on its surroundings, measured in pounds per sq… #
The force exerted by an explosion on its surroundings, measured in pounds per square inch (psi) or pascals (Pa).
**Blast Wave** #
**Blast Wave**
The pressure wave generated by an explosion, characterized by a sudden increase… #
The pressure wave generated by an explosion, characterized by a sudden increase in pressure followed by a decrease below atmospheric pressure.
**Blast #
Resistant Design**
The practice of designing structures to withstand the effects of an explosion, m… #
The practice of designing structures to withstand the effects of an explosion, minimizing damage and ensuring occupant safety.
**Booster Explosive** #
**Booster Explosive**
A high #
explosive material used to initiate a larger charge, typically in the form of a detonating cord or a small quantity of a more sensitive explosive.
**Buried Explosives** #
**Buried Explosives**
Explosive devices placed underground, used in applications such as mining, quarr… #
Explosive devices placed underground, used in applications such as mining, quarrying, and construction.
**Charge Weight** #
**Charge Weight**
The total weight of explosive material used in a blast, measured in kilograms or… #
The total weight of explosive material used in a blast, measured in kilograms or pounds.
**Confined Explosion** #
**Confined Explosion**
An explosion that occurs in a limited space, resulting in higher pressures and p… #
An explosion that occurs in a limited space, resulting in higher pressures and potentially more destructive effects.
**Cratering** #
**Cratering**
The formation of a crater due to an explosion, caused by the ejection of materia… #
The formation of a crater due to an explosion, caused by the ejection of material and the compaction of the ground.
**Detonation** #
**Detonation**
The rapid, supersonic decomposition of an explosive material, resulting in a sho… #
The rapid, supersonic decomposition of an explosive material, resulting in a shock wave and the release of energy.
**Detonating Cord** #
**Detonating Cord**
A cord containing a high #
explosive material, used to initiate other explosives or to create a linear explosion.
**Detonation Velocity** #
**Detonation Velocity**
The speed at which a detonation wave travels through an explosive material, meas… #
The speed at which a detonation wave travels through an explosive material, measured in meters per second (m/s) or feet per second (ft/s).
**Explosive Limits** #
**Explosive Limits**
The minimum and maximum concentrations of a flammable or explosive gas or vapor… #
The minimum and maximum concentrations of a flammable or explosive gas or vapor in air that will support combustion or explosion.
**Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)** #
**Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)**
The detection, identification, rendering safe, recovery, and disposal of explosi… #
The detection, identification, rendering safe, recovery, and disposal of explosive devices.
**Explosive Reaction** #
**Explosive Reaction**
A rapid chemical reaction that releases a large amount of energy in the form of… #
A rapid chemical reaction that releases a large amount of energy in the form of heat, light, sound, and pressure, often accompanied by the production of gases.
**Explosive Train** #
**Explosive Train**
The sequence of explosive devices or components used to initiate a larger explos… #
The sequence of explosive devices or components used to initiate a larger explosion, typically consisting of a detonator, booster, and main charge.
**Explosives Engineering** #
**Explosives Engineering**
The application of scientific, economic, social, and practical knowledge to the… #
The application of scientific, economic, social, and practical knowledge to the design, development, and use of explosives and explosive systems.
**Fly Rock** #
**Fly Rock**
Rocks or debris propelled through the air by an explosion, posing a hazard to pe… #
Rocks or debris propelled through the air by an explosion, posing a hazard to people and structures in the vicinity.
**Gurney Energy** #
**Gurney Energy**
The kinetic energy of the products of an explosion, calculated using the mass an… #
The kinetic energy of the products of an explosion, calculated using the mass and velocity of the products.
**High #
Explosive (HE)**
An explosive material that decomposes rapidly, releasing energy in the form of a… #
An explosive material that decomposes rapidly, releasing energy in the form of a shock wave, used in applications such as demolition, mining, and military munitions.
**Initiation** #
**Initiation**
The process of starting an explosion, typically involving a small explosive char… #
The process of starting an explosion, typically involving a small explosive charge or an electrical spark.
**Insensitive Munitions (IM)** #
**Insensitive Munitions (IM)**
Explosive devices designed to withstand accidental stimuli, such as fire, impact… #
Explosive devices designed to withstand accidental stimuli, such as fire, impact, or sympathetic detonation, and to minimize the risk of unintended explosion.
**Mine Clearance** #
**Mine Clearance**
The process of removing landmines and other explosive remnants of war from an ar… #
The process of removing landmines and other explosive remnants of war from an area, typically using specialized equipment and trained personnel.
**Nitroglycerin** #
**Nitroglycerin**
A heavy, colorless, oily, explosive liquid most commonly produced by nitrating g… #
A heavy, colorless, oily, explosive liquid most commonly produced by nitrating glycerol with white fuming nitric acid under conditions appropriate to the formation of the nitric acid ester.
**Optimization** #
**Optimization**
The process of finding the best solution to a problem, often involving a trade #
off between different factors, such as cost, safety, and effectiveness.
**PETN (Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate)** #
**PETN (Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate)**
A high #
explosive material with a detonation velocity of approximately 8,400 m/s, used in applications such as detonating cords and booster charges.
**Primary Explosive** #
**Primary Explosive**
An explosive material that is highly sensitive to impact, friction, or heat, use… #
An explosive material that is highly sensitive to impact, friction, or heat, used in applications such as detonators and initiators.
**Promoters** #
**Promoters**
Chemical substances added to explosives to increase their sensitivity or to modi… #
Chemical substances added to explosives to increase their sensitivity or to modify their properties, such as burning rate or detonation velocity.
**Pyrotechnics** #
**Pyrotechnics**
The art and science of creating and using chemical reactions that produce light,… #
The art and science of creating and using chemical reactions that produce light, sound, heat, or motion, often used in fireworks, signals, and special effects.
**Reactive Armor** #
**Reactive Armor**
A type of armor that uses explosive materials to defeat incoming projectiles, ty… #
A type of armor that uses explosive materials to defeat incoming projectiles, typically by detonating the explosive upon impact and directing the explosion away from the protected object.
**Risk Assessment** #
**Risk Assessment**
The process of evaluating the likelihood and consequences of a hazardous event,… #
The process of evaluating the likelihood and consequences of a hazardous event, such as an explosion, to determine the level of risk and to develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
**Risk Management** #
**Risk Management**
The process of identifying, assessing, and controlling risks to minimize their i… #
The process of identifying, assessing, and controlling risks to minimize their impact on people, property, and the environment.
**Safety Distance** #
**Safety Distance**
The minimum distance from an explosion required to ensure the safety of people a… #
The minimum distance from an explosion required to ensure the safety of people and structures, determined based on factors such as charge weight, explosive type, and initiation sequence.
**Sensitivity** #
**Sensitivity**
The degree to which an explosive material is susceptible to initiation by variou… #
The degree to which an explosive material is susceptible to initiation by various stimuli, such as impact, friction, or heat.
**Shaped Charge** #
**Shaped Charge**
An explosive device designed to focus the energy of the explosion in a particula… #
An explosive device designed to focus the energy of the explosion in a particular direction, typically used in armor-piercing munitions.
**Sympathetic Detonation** #
**Sympathetic Detonation**
The triggering of an explosion in a nearby explosive material by the shock wave… #
The triggering of an explosion in a nearby explosive material by the shock wave or fragments from an initial explosion.
**TNT (Trinitrotoluene)** #
**TNT (Trinitrotoluene)**
A high #
explosive material with a detonation velocity of approximately 6,900 m/s, used as a standard for measuring the energy released by other explosives.
**Underwater Explosion** #
**Underwater Explosion**
An explosion that occurs underwater, characterized by the formation of a shock w… #
An explosion that occurs underwater, characterized by the formation of a shock wave and a bubble of gas that rises to the surface.
**Vapor Cloud Explosion (VCE)** #
**Vapor Cloud Explosion (VCE)**
An explosion caused by the ignition of a cloud of flammable vapor, often resulti… #
An explosion caused by the ignition of a cloud of flammable vapor, often resulting from the release of a volatile liquid or gas.
**Void Analysis** #
**Void Analysis**
The process of analyzing the effects of an explosion on a structure with voids o… #
The process of analyzing the effects of an explosion on a structure with voids or open spaces, such as a building with hollow walls or a tunnel.
**Wave Propagation** #
**Wave Propagation**
The transmission of energy through a medium, such as a shock wave through air or… #
The transmission of energy through a medium, such as a shock wave through air or water, characterized by changes in pressure, density, and velocity.