Mechanical hazards

Using models to develop and improve high-throughput, small-scale tests with novel diagnostics to acquire higher fidelity data and better understand high explosive (HE) behavior

Our researchers develop next-generation continuum HE models to assess hazards due to mechanical insults that may result in ignition, deflagration, and detonation:

  • The High Explosive Response to Mechanical Stimulus (HERMES) safety model allows us to predict the ignition threshold and severity of explosive reactions due to mechanical insults. We use the HERMES model to assess and evaluate safety and accident/hazard scenarios involving high explosives in plant and worker environments, as well as in-field use of explosives.
  • The Distributed Statistical Hot-Spot (DSHS) model provides alternative means for predicting explosive shock initiation response by capturing the effects of pore size distributions at grain-scale and accounting for microstructural variations observed across samples and HE formulations to enable more accurate modeling predictions.
Simulation of a deflagration to a detonation (DDT) response.

An example HERMES safety model showing a deflagration to a detonation (DDT) response. Explosive power is confined in a tube and begins burning on the left. The resulting pressurization reinforces burning rates until a low amplitude shock causes the reaction to transition from a DDT response.

We also develop tools, such as the Blackbox Optimization Workflow Tool, that leverage advanced machine learning techniques and genetic algorithms to support and accelerate the calibration and application of multiple material models (for new and pre-existing materials) in our hydrocodes across LLNL.

We employ mesoscale modeling, which aims to predict material behavior based on its composition at the microstructural level. Whether studying hazard scenarios or trying to predict shock initiation properties, mesoscale modeling can help us understand the physics behind energetic material behavior or generate data in the absence of experiments.

Our projects rely on multidisciplinary teams comprised of both experimentalists and modelers. To make advances in these areas, we collaborate with LLNL researchers within Strategic Deterrence and Global Security as well as external partners.

Researchers

White, Bradley W.
Bradley White
Staff Scientist
Gambino, James Rosario
James Gambino
Postdoctoral Researcher
Hennessey, Michael Patrick
Michael Hennessey
Research Scientist
Miller, Christopher Michael
Christopher Miller
Staff Scientist
Reaugh, Jack
Jack Reaugh
Physicist

Our publications

Effect of combined pressure-shear loading on explosives
AIP Conf. Proc., 2023
J.E. Reaugh, B.W. White

Observation of asymmetric explosive density evolution in the deflagration-to-detonation transition for porous explosives
J. Appl. Phys., 2021
J.W. Tringe, D.M. Stobbe, G.R. Parker, L. Smilowitz, B.R. Henson, M.R. De Haven, A.J. Ruch, B.W. White, J.E. Reaugh, K.S. Vandersall

Shock structure for the seven-equation, two-phase continuum-mixture model
Combustion Theory and Modelling, 2021
J.B. Bdzil, A.K. Kapila, M.P. Hennessey

A morphologically aware model for TATB based explosives
API Conf. Proc., 2020
J.R. Gambino, A.L. Nichols

Applying the HERMES model to non-shock ignition and post-ignition violence
AIP Conf. Proc., 2020
J.E. Reaugh

Drive-pressure optimization in ramp-wave compression experiments through differential evolution
J. Appl. Phys., 2020
D.M. Sterbentz, J.R. Gambino, P.C. Myint, J.-P. Delplanque, H.K. Springer, M.C. Marshall, J.L. Belof

Hot spot criticality in shocked HMX over a range of pore sizes and pressures
AIP Conf. Proc., 2020
H.K. Springer, J.R. Gambino, S. Bastea, A.L. Nichols, C.M. Tarver

Numerical study of multiscale compaction-initiated detonation
Shock Waves, 2019
J.R. Gambino, D.W. Schwendeman, A.K. Kapila

Particle Strain Analysis of Epoxy-Based Composites Following Quasi-Static and Dynamic Compression
Journal of Dynamic Behavior of Materials, 2019
B.W. White, J.L. Jordan, J.E. Spowart, N.N. Thadhani

A Computer Model to Study the Response of Energetic Materials to a Range of Dynamic Loads
Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 2018
J.E. Reaugh, B.W. White, J.P. Curtis, H.K. Springer

Modelling of deflagration to detonation transition in porous PETN of density 1.4 g/cc with HERMES
AIP Conf. Proc., 2018
J.E. Reaugh, J.P. Curtis, M.-A. Maheswaran

Modeling The Effects of Shock Pressure and Pore Morphology on Hot Spot Mechanisms in HMX
Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 2018
H.K. Springer, S. Bastea, A.L. Nichols III, C.M. Tarver, J.E. Reaugh

Numerical parameter optimizations of the Ignition and Growth model for a HMX plastic bonded explosive
J. Appl. Phys., 2018
J.R. Gambino, C.M. Tarver, H.K. Springer

Numerical parameter optimization of the ignition and growth model for HMX based plastic bonded explosives
AIP Conf. Proc., 2018
J. Gambino, C. Tarver, H.K. Springer, B. White, L. Fried

Numerical study on tailoring the shock sensitivity of TATB-based explosives using sub-millimeter features
AIP Conf. Proc., 2018
H.K. Springer, C.M. Tarver, J.R. Gambino, B.W. White, K.T. Sullivan, A.E. Gash

Ignition and growth modeling of detonation reaction zone experiments on single crystals of PETN and HMX
AIP Conf. Proc., 2017
B.W. White, C.M. Tarver

Observation and modeling of deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) in low-density HMX
AIP Conf. Proc., 2017
J.W. Tringe, K.S. Vandersall, J.E. Reaugh, H.W. Levie, B.F. Henson, L.B. Smilowitz, G.R. Parker