Handout 1 - Clemson University

atmosphere". We will frequently be using the following dimensional scaled distance
parameter [7, 32]:
where R: distance from center of explosive
R R
Z = or Z = Equation 3.3-1
w"13
E"13
W: charge mass expressed in kilograms of TNT
E: energy of explosive (proportional to W)
During blast scale operations the actual mass of the charge is converted into a TNT
equivalent mass. The simplest way of achieving this is to multiply the mass of explosive
by a conversion factor based on the ratio of the explosives specific energy over that of
TNT. Conversion factors for a range of explosives are shown in the following Table
3.3-1 [7, 35]. Another form to determine the equivalent TNT mass (Wmrr) is through the
detonation velocity D [m/s] of the used explosive and the following formula [36],
where STNT is the conversion factor and Wexpisoive the mass of the used explosive:
WTNT =STNT eWxplosive = D- Wexv Equation 3.3-2
48.3