Laboratory scale experiments into cavity and crater formation by high explosive charges

A Plasticine block is used to represent a semi-infinite solid, for the investigation of camouflet and crater formation by high explosive charges. The Plasticine model is 90 cm diameter and 60 cm deep and the explosive charges vary between about 0·1 g and 0·8 g, producing cavities and craters in the region of 2 cm to 5 cm radius. The shapes of the craters and cavities and the final surface contours are measured and compared with theoretical forms determined from a simple theory. Comparison is also made with the results of large scale nuclear and high explosive operations.