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PROJECT SULKY

P N E 713F RELEASED FOR ANNOUBC-

IN WCLEAR SCIEBCE ABSTRACTS

CRATER MEASUREMENTS

F. F. Videon

U. S. Army Engineer
Nuclear Cratering Group

Lawrence Radiation Laboratory

Livermore, California

October 1 9 6 5
 CONTENTS

ABSTRACT . , 4.

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION. 5
1.1 Description of Sulky . 5
1 . 2 Ojective of C r a t e r ~ e a s u r e k e n t s
Program 5
1.3 Background . 6
1.4 P r e d i c t i o n of C r a t e r Dimensions . 10

CHAPTER 2 DESCRIPTION O F T H E
EXPERIMENT . . ' .
. 11
2.1 Site Description . 11
.. -
. 2.1.1 Geology . . 11
2.1.2 Topgraphy . .. . 15
2.2 Device Emplacement . . 15

CHAPTER 3 RESULTS . . 18
3.1 General. . . 18
3.2 M e a s u r e m e n t of Mound Dimensions . . 18
3 . 3 Definition of C r a t e r P a r a m e t e r s . . 20

CHAPTER 4 DISCUSSION . . 27
4.1 Apparent C r a t e r Dimensions . a 27
4.2 Mound Height . 30
4 . 3 C r a t e r Mechanisms . 32
4.4 Mound Volume . . 33

CHAPTER 5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS . . 35

REFERENCES . 37

TABLES
3.1 Dimensions of Sulky Mound. . 23
FIGURES
1.1 Apparent c r a t e r r a d i u s v e r s u s depth
of b u r s t i n b a s a l t ( f r o m R e f e r e n c e 3) . 8
1.2 Apparent c r a t e r depth v e r s u s depth
of' b u r s t i n b a s a l t ( f r o m R e f e r e n c e 3 ) . 9
2.1 Topographic m a p of Buckboard
M e s a showing Sulky s i t e .
2.2 G e n e r a l i z e d geologic c r o s s s e c t i o n s
. 12

through Buckboard M e s a ( f r o m
Reference 6) . . 13
2.3 Geologic c r o s s s e c t i o n s through
Sulky s i t e ( f r o m R e f e r e n c e 7 ) . . 14
FIGURES (continued)
2.4 Histograms and cumulative c u r v e s
of joint spacing, Buckboard Mesa
( f r o m Reference 6 ) . 16
2.5 P r e s h o t topographic map of Sulky
site. 17
3.1 Photographs of Sulky mound
( a ) low a i r view (b) s i d e view . 19
3 . 2 Postshot topographic map of
Sulky c r a t e r. 21
3.3 Definitions of mound dimensions . . 22
3.4 Typical c r o s s sections through
Sulky mound 24
3.5 P r o f i l e along lip c r e s t . 24
3.6 Outline of lip c r e s t and edge of
rubble . 26
4.1 Apparent c r a t e r radius v e r s u s
depth of b u r s t i n basalt . 28
4.2 Apparent c r a t e r depth v e r s u s
depth of b u r s t in basalt . 29
4.3 Apparent l i p height v e r s u s depth

4.4
of b u r s t in basalt.
T r u e c r a t e r radius v e r s u s depth
- 31

of b u r s t in basalt. 34
 ABSTRACT

-
P r o j e c t Sulky was t h e detonation of a n 85-ton n u c l e a r device
-.
i n basalt a t a depth of b u r s t of 27.4 m e t e r s . ' T h e detonation
I
produced a mound of broken rock with a d e p r e s s i o n i n t h e c e n t e r .

T h e b a s e of the mound w a s roughly c i r c u l a r i n plan and had a

r a d i u s of 2 4 . 2 m e t e r s . T h e r a d i u s of t h e c r e s t of the l i p

around t h e ejecta w a s 8.87 m e t e r s and t h e a v e r a g e height of

t h e lip c r e s t above preshot ground s u r f a c e was 6 . 3 1 m e t e r s .

T h e bottom of t h e d e p r e s s i o n was 2.80 m e t e r s above t h e p r e s h o t

ground elevation. T h e p r e s h o t ground s u r f a c e w a s uplifted and f

i
c r a c k e d t o a distance of approximately 52 m e t e r s f r o m s u r f a c e

zero. T h e height of the upthrust was 1 m e t e r at the b a s e of t h e

I
Ii

, '-." B / j
rubble mound. C
--.-----'~-w- rn.6- -
Based on the r e s u l t s of Sulky and other c r a t e r i n g data f o r

basalt, t h e following conclusions have been made concerning

c r a t e r i n g in hard, dry, i n e r t rock:

(1) In t h e region of depths of b u r s t somewhat d e e p e r than

optimum, nuclear explosives are l e s s effective than high

exp1.osives f o r apparent c r a t e r production.

( 2 ) Apparent- c r a t e r dimensions diminish rapidly a s t h e

depth of b u r s t i n c r e a s e s beyond optimum.

( 3 ) T h e apparent l i p height, t h e t r u e c r a t e r r a d i i and t h e .

extent of upthrust beyond t h e t r u e c r a t e r a r e s i m i l a r f o r both

n u c l e a r and high explosive c r a t e r s i n b a s a l t .

 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 DESCRIPTION O F SULKY.

P r o j e c t Sulky w a s a n u c l e a r c r a t e r i n g experiment i n h a r d

rock executed a s p a r t of t h e P l o w s h a r e P r o g r a m f o r development

of n u c l e a r excavation technology. T h e p u r p o s e s of the Sulky

experiment were: (1) t o d e t e r m i n e the distribution of radioactivity

produced at a g r e a t e r scaled depth than Danny Boy, which would

provide b a s i c input f o r the design of follow-on l a r g e r yield

e x p e r i m e n t s in a s i m i l a r (2) t o d e t e r m i n e t h e concen-

t r a t i o n s of c e r t a i n radionuclides a i r b o r n e a t v a r i o u s d i s t a n c e s ;

and ( 3 ) t o produce c r a t e r mechanics information at a g r e a t e r

scaled depth than Danny Boy.

P r o j e c t Sulky w a s f i r e d 18 D e c e m b e r 1964 at approximately

1135 P a c i f i c Standard T i m e (1935 Greenwich Mean T i m e ) on

Buckboard Mesa, A r e a 18, Nevada T e s t Site. T h e depth of

b u r i a l w a s 27.4 m e t e r s (90 feet) and t h e resultant yield was

85 % 15 tons. The emplacement nole, U 1 8 d , w a s located at

geodetic coordinates Lat. N 37" - 4 ' 57", Long. W 116" 20' 3 3 " .

1 . 2 OBJECTIVE O F C W T E R MEASUREMENTS PROGRAM

T h e objective of t h e c r a t e r m e a s u r e m e n t s p r o g r a m w a s t o

define the g e o m e t r y of t h e c r a t e r and l i p produced by a n u c l e a r

detonation i n rock at a s c a l e d depth of b u r s t d e e p e r than

optimum. T h e dimensions and shape of t h e visible c r a t e r and

lip a r e presented i n t h i s report. The significance of the r e s u l t s

with respect t o nuclear excavation is discussed.

1.3 BACKGROUND

Basalt is classified a s hard, dry, i n e r t rock. The nuclear

cratering characteristics of this medium a r e expected t o be

somewhat different f r o m those of porous rock, such a s certain

types of sandstone, o r rock that will prodllce a l a r g e amount of

gas when vaporized, such a s limestone. Since it is anticipated

that the hard, dry, inert rocks will be encountered frequently in

nuclear excavation projects, it is important that we understand

c r a t e r formation in these materials.

Cratering experience i n hard rock is limited t o s e v e r a l

high explosive detonations and only one nuclear test. The high

explosive t e s t s have included the Panama Canal Company t e s t s

(Reference I ) , Project Buckboard (Reference 2), and P r o j e c t

Pre-Schooner (Reference 3 ) . One row charge experiment in

basalt, P r o j e c t Dugout (Reference 4 ) a l s o has been conducted.

The r e s u l t s of t h e s e experiments a r e summarized a s follows:

a. When cratering in rock, reliable crater-dimension

data can b e obtained only if the s i z e of the c r a t e r is much l a r g e r

than the maximum block s i z e of the throwout. It a p p e a r s that

both the 200-pound charges used in the Isthmian Canal Studies

and the 1000-pound charges used a s a p a r t of P r o j e c t Buckboard

w e r e too small t o satisfy t h i s requirement. Consequently, the

most useful high explosive cratering data f o r basalt is that

obtained f r o m the 20-ton charges used in P r o j e c t s Buckboard

and Pre-Schooner.

b. The high-explosive cratering data and the c u r v e s fitted

t o t h e s e data a r e plotted in Figs. 1.1 and 1.2 A s shown, the

c r a t e r dimensions i n c r e a s e t o maximum values a s the depth

of burst i n c r e a s e s f r o m zero. Beyond the depth of b u r s t at

which maximum c r a t e r dimensions a r e produced, both c r a t e r

radius and depth d e c r e a s e reapidly with increasing depth of

burst until a mound of rubble is produced.

c. The c r o s s section of the apparent c r a t e r i n basalt

approximates a hyperbola (Reference 3). The slopes of the

c r a t e r walls a r e fairly uniform; the inclination of the slopes of

c r a t e r s f r o m charges buried n e a r optimum depth of b u r s t is

30 - 35 degrees f r o m t h e horizontal.

d. F o r c r a t e r s in basalt, the height of the lip i s approximate-

l y twice a s g r e a t a s f o r c r a t e r s in alluvium. The lip height

i n c r e a s e s with increasing depth of burst.

Danny Boy (Reference 5), the only nuclear cratering t e s t in

basalt, produced a c r a t e r about the s a m e depth and with a

slightly s m a l l e r radius than would have been predicted f r o m the

high explosive t e s t results. T h e scaled dimensions of the

Danny Boy C r a t e r a r e plotted on Figs. 1.1 and 1.2.

 DEPTH OF BURST (m/kt''3.4)

Fig. 1.1. Apparent c r a t e r r a d i u s v e r s u s depth of b u r s t i n basalt ( f r o m Reference 3).

 DEPTH OF BURST (m/kt''3.4)

Fig. 1.2. Apparent c r a t e r depth v e r s u s depth of b u r s t in basalt (from Reference 3).

1.4 PREDICTION O F CRATER DIMENSIONS

Predictions of the dimensions of the apparent c r a t e r for

Project Sulky were a s follows:

Depth of apparent crater: 9.8 f 2 meters;

Radius of apparent crater: 18.2 f 2 meters.

 CHAPTER 2

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXPERIMENT

2.1 SITE DESCRIPTION

2.1.1 Geology: Project Sulky was detonated in the basalt of

Buckboard Mesa in Area 18 of the Nevada Test Site. The

location of the Sulky emplacement hole (U18d) i s shown in

Fig. 2.1. Detailed studies of the geology of Buckboard Mesa

and the physical properties of the basalt of which Buckboard

Mesa is composed have been made by the Waterways Experiment

Station (References 6 and 7). A summary of the results of

these studies is given below.

Buckboard Mesa i s capped by an isolated sheet of nearly

flat-lying basalt that varies in thickness f r o m l e s s than 15 m e t e r s

t o more than 60 meters. Generalized geologic c r o s s sections

through Buckboard Mesa a r e shown in Fig. 2.2. Figure 2.3 contains

geologic c r o s s sections at the Sulky site. The basalt in the

vicinity of the Sulky site consists of an upper vesicular zone

15 t o 21 m e t e r s thick, a 30-to 46-meter-thick zone of dense

basalt and a thin lower zone of vesicular basalt. The basalt

i s overlain'by about 0.6 t o 1 m e t e r of residual soil.

The basalt of Buckboard Mesa has a moderately well

developed joint system. The joints vary f r o m thin fractures

with very little separation between fracture faces t o wider

and more continuous joints that have'as much a s 10-15 cm

 SCALE IN FEET

,OW_ -
0
1000 xna 3oW 4wo

Fig. 2.1. Topographic map of Buckboard Mesa showing Sulky

site.
-12-
 @ WEST BUCKBOARD MESA EAST @ @ WEST ,BUCKBOARD MESA EAST @

-I 5500r 1
I NCG 1 NCG
NCG

J
; 5.300
CANYON

Z 3200
BASE Of BASALT
L

TAN TO WHITE 5100 ..$

.;: ==) GRAY ASH B E 0
TUFFACEOUS BEDS RHYOLITIC A s n FLOW
'LIGHT TAN TUFF

1 -
5000
L I G H T T A N TO W N r r E T U F F

4800 2000 4 0 0 0 DISTANCE IN 8

FEET
000 0000 10,000 4900 I I I I
2000 4000 8000 8000
DISTANCE I N FEET

BUCKBOARD MESA SOUTH @

--
TUFF LIGHT T A N TO

RHYOLlTlC ASH FLOW \

n o 0 I I I I I I I 1 I I
2000 4000 8000 8000 10,000 I2.000 14.000 16.000 18,000 20.000
DISTANCE IN FEET
VESICULAR BASALT DENSE BASALT CINDER ZONES
_-_-,CONTACTS BETWEEN SEPARATE FLOWS NOTE: FOR LOCATIONS O F SECTIONS, SEE FIGURE 1.2.
OR MAJOR TONGUES WITHIN ONE FLOW FOR LOGS OF BORINGS. SEE APPENDICES A ANDC
VERTICAL EXAGGERATION I S T E N TIMES THE NORI-
Z O N T A L SCALE.

Fig. 2.2. Generalized geologic c r o s s sections through Buckboard Mesa (from Reference 6).
 DISTANCE IN FEET
0 30 60 90 I20

"I
- 5230 DISTANCE IN FEET
0 30 60 90.
r- I I I I

-5200 5230

5200 -
5170 -5170 t
W
W
II.

z -
5140 -5140 5110

I
C-L
51 I O 5140-
I& -5110
I

LEGEND

SOIL 0DENSE BASALT -5080 51 10-

VESICULAR BASKT,
20% VESICLES a~ ~

TUFF

VESICULAR BASALT
IOTO eo 9c v e s i c L E 9 m CORE LOSS ZONE
- 5050 -
LEGEND
VESICULAR BASALT, 0SOIL ~3 VESICULAR BASALT,
< 10% VESICLES < 10% VESICLES
VESICULAR BASALT,
> 2 0 % VESICLES a DENSE BASALT

VESICULAR BASALT,
-5020 IO TO 2 0 % VESICLES

A. STRATIGRAPHY AT SECTION D-D'. 8. STRATIGRAPHY AT SECTION €-E'

Fig. 2.3. Geologic c r o s s sections through Sulky s i t e ( f r o m Reference 7).

separation. Both open joints and joints with varying degrees of

calcium carbonate filling have been observed. Studies have

shown that the joint spacing is quite variable. As shown in

Fig. 2.4, joint spacing varies from more than 3 m e t e r s t o

l e s s than 3 cm.

Vesicles in the basalt range in maximum dimension up t o

more than 15 cm. They a r e variable in s k p c a;;d ~ r i e l l l d l i ~ 1 1

and comprise a s much a s 35 to 40 percent of the total rock

volume. The vesicularity of the basalt has a significant effect

on i t s physical properties. In general it can be stated that

with increasing vesicularity the bulk specific gravity, the

moduls of elasticity and the strength of the basalt will decrease.

2.1.2 Topography: A topographic map showing the a r e a in

the vicinity of the Sulky surface z e r o is shown in Fig. 2.5. As

shown, surface z e r o is on the crest of a flat lying ridge. The

ground surface dips to the SSE at about 1 percent and t o the

west and east at about 2 percent.

2 . 2 DEVICE E M P L A C E M E N T

The Sulky device was emplaced 27.4 m e t e r s below the

ground surface in a 36-inch-diameter hole. The hole immedi-

ately above the device was filled with a layer of Cal Seal, a

f a s t -setting grout, and the remainder of the hole was stemmed

with pea gravel.

 SITES .3, 4, 7, 10, AND .I I
(DATA FROM BOREHOLE CAMERA LOGS)

JOINT SPACING IN FEET (VERTICAL DIRECTION ONLY)

loo 0

tl E! DANNY BOY BORINGS DA-2 A N D DA-5 1-I 80 20 0

z
U
2
V)
60 40 L

sa
A
40 80 I-
t
U
L
W

20 80

0 100
50 10 5 I 0.5 0.1 0.05 Oal
JOINT SPACING I N FEET

Fig. 2.4. Histograms and cumulative curves of joint spacing, Buckboard Mesa (from Reference 6).
Fig. 2.5. Preshot topographic map of Sulky site.
 CHAPTER 3

RESULTS

3.1 G E N E M L

The detonation of the Sulky device produced a mound of

rubble lying entirely above the original ground surface.

Photographs of the mound a r e shown in Fig. 3.1. A s shown,

the mound is roughly circular i n plan. The top of the mound

contains a depression. The slope of the rubble f r o m the c r e s t

of t h e mound t o i t s b a s e is about 30 degrees, which is much

steeper than observed outer slopes of the ejecta f r o m other

cratering shots in basalt. The mound consists of rubble con-

taining many l a r g e blocks of basalt. Beyond the rubble only a

few isolated blocks can be found, and these a r e located f a i r l y

close t o the edge of the mound. The ground surface h a s been

displaced vertically and cracked f o r some distance beyond the

rubble. Some of the c r a c k s can be seen in Fig. 3 . 1 .

3.2 MEASUREMENT O F MOUND DIMENSIONS

The dimensions of t h e mound w e r e determined f r o m an

analysis of the p r e - and postshot topographic maps of the

surface z e r o a r e a . The m a p s w e r e made by American Aerial

Surveys, Inc., using a e r i a l stereophotogrammetric techniques.

Analysis of the c r a t e r a l s o was performed by American

Aerial Surveys, Inc. The preshot topography (Fig. 2.5) was

made on 20 F e b r u a r y 1964. The postshot flight was made t h r e e

 (a) Low a i r view.

(b) Side view.

Fig. 3 . 1 . Photographs of Sulky mound.

days after Sulky was f i r e d on 2 1 December 1964. Figure 3.2

is the postshot topographic map.

A sketch of the c r o s s section of t h e mound is shown in Fig.

3.3. T h e dimensions that w e r e m e a s u r e d a r e illustrated in t h i s

figure and a r e defined below. Techniques used t o m e a s u r e the

various dimensions a r e explained in Reference 3 .

3 . 3 DEFINITION O F CRATER PARAMETERS

Hal - T h e average height of t h e c r e s t of the lip above t h e

original ground s u r f a c e . Hal(max) is the height of the highest

point on t h e lip c r e s t and Hal(min) is the height of the lowest

point.

Da - The vertical distance f r o m t h e bottom of the visible

c r a t e r t o the original ground surface. T h e bottom of t h e

visible c r a t e r f o r Sulky was above the original ground surface;

therefore, D is considered t o be negative.

a
Ral - T h e average lip c r e s t radius.
Ral(max)
is the

maximum lip c r e s t r a d i u s and Ral(min) is t h e minimum lip

c r e s t radius.

- The average radius t o t h e outer edge of the rubble.

Reb
a r e t h e maximum and minimum distances
Reb(max) and Reb(min)
t o the outer edge of the rubble, respectively.

T h e dimensions f o r the mound produced by t h e Sulky

detonation a r e given i n Table 3.1. C r o s s sections of the mound

a r e shown in Fig. 3 . 4 . F i g u r e 3.5 shows the profile taken

Fig. 3 . 2 . Postshot topographic map of Sulky c r a t e r .
 a. CROSS SECTION OF MOUND

b. PLAN VIEW OF MWND SHOWING LIP CREST OUTLINE AND

OUTER EDGE OF RUBBLE

Fig. 3 . 3 . Definitions of mound dimensions.

 TABLE 3.1. DIMENSIONS O F SULKY MOUND
--
Parameter Dimension Scaled Dimension

(meters) (feet) (m/kt1/3*4) (ft/kt1/3'4)

6.31 20.7 13.0

Hal

Hal(max) 7.99 26.2 16.5

Hal( m i n ) 4.66 15.3 9.62

- 2.80 -9.2 -5.77

Da

Reb(max) 26.43 86.7 54.5 178.9

21.95 72.0 45.2 148.4

Reb(rnin)
DOB 27.4 90 56.5 185
. - . . . ----_I-.-.---.I __ _I__I__ __-
 b -
O
. I ELEVATION
I . (rn)
8 - $ K B
ELEVATION (rn)

slim
gi g 2 : a 9
I-
'"
W - I
I I
- I - I
g II
N ..
I

% -
I
I

-'" I

,I
I

--
0 ,
I

I
I
UI - I
I
I
I
g
5
O
I
I
'" - I
I
II
-0 -
I
- -
UI
I
I
I
I

0
N - I

II W _ I
- I 0
I
I
% - 'I I- I
I
I
I
8 - I
I
R x y
-P
R.(r 3 y
HEIGHT ABWE G Z
7
W

Fig. 3.4. Typical c r o s s sections through Sulky mound.

DISTANCE ALONG LIP CREST (mj

Fig. 3.5. Profile along lip c r e s t .

along the lip crest. The lip c r e s t outline and the outline

of the outer edge of the ejecta a r e shown i n Fig. 3.6.

Fig. 3.6. Outline of lip c r e s t and edge of rubble.

-26-
 CHAPTER 4

DISCUSSION

4.1 APPARENT CRATER DIMENSIONS

Although Sulky did not produce an apparent c r a t e r , the

r e s u l t s of t h e Sulky experiment provided meaningful data on

t h e c r a t e r i n g behavior of n u c l e a r explosives i n h a r d , d r y rock.

T h e Sulky data h a s been plotted on t h e c r a t e r i n g c u r v e s f o r

basalt, F i g s . 4.1 and 4.2. In o r d e r t o plot t h e Sulky data, t h e

apparent c r a t e r r a d i u s was considered t o b e z e r o and t h e apparent

depth was considered to b e -2.8 m e t e r s . A s shown, t h e Sulky

dimensions plot below and t o t h e left of the high-explosive

c r a t e r i n g curve. The Sulky r e s u l t s indicate that no apparent

c r a t e r will b e produced by a n u c l e a r detonation in b a s a l t when

t h e s c a l e d depth of b u r s t is g r e a t e r than about 56 m / k t 113.4

S i m i l a r behavior h a s been o b s e r v e d f o r high explosive c r a t e r s

f o r depths of b u r s t g r e a t e r than 6 1 m / k t High explosives

a r e probably m o r e effective than n u c l e a r explsives f o r apparent

c r a t e r production i n b a s a l t i n t h e region of depths of b u r s t

somewhat g r e a t e r than optimum b e c a u s e high-explosive

detonations produce m o r e g a s which i s available f o r a l o n g e r

period of t i m e t o aid in t h e ejection of b r o k e n m a t e r i a l .

Inasmuch a s only two n u c l e a r c r a t e r i n g e x p e r i m e n t s

(Danny Boy and Sulky) have been conducted i n b a s a l t t o date,

sufficient data a r e not available t o justify t h e plotting of

 DEPTH OF BURST (rn/kt"3.4)
Fig. 4.1. Apparent c r a t e r radius v e r s u s depth of burst in basalt.
 DEPTH OF BURST (m/kt"3.4)
F i g . 4.2. Apparent c r a t e r depth v e r s u s depth of b u r s t i n b a s a l t .
nuclear c r a t e r i n g c u r v e s i n t h i s material. It is likely, however,

that the nuclear curve will be s i m i l a r in shape t o the high

explosive curve. It a l s o a p p e a r s that the Danny Boy depth of

b u r s t is in the region of optimum depth of b u r s t f o r nuclear

c r a t e r dimensions. Until additional nuclear c r a t e r i n g data

become available, it is reasonable t o u s e the Danny Boy c r a t e r

f o r predicting of optimum apparent c r a t e r dimensions in hard,

d r y rock.

4.2 MOUND HEIGHT

The mound height is the average height of the c r e s t of the

visible c r a t e r lip above t h e preshot ground surface. The

average mound height (apparent lip height f o r c r a t e r i n g shots)

is plotted in Fig. 4.3 a s a function of scaled depth of b u r s t f o r

Sulky, Danny Boy, and the 20-ton Pre-Schooner and Buckboard

shots. A s shown, a n e a r l y l i n e a r relationship between lip

height and depth of b u r s t exists. F u r t h e r m o r e , t h i s relation-

ship a p p e a r s t o be the s a m e f o r both nuclear and high explosive

craters.

T h e c r e s t of t h e Sulky visible c r a t e r lip was generally

higher on t h e north s i d e of the mound than on the south side.

The maximum deviations of the lip height f r o m t h e a v e r a g e

w e r e 4-1.67 m and -1.64 m and t h e i r r e g u l a r i t y of t h e a v e r a g e

deviation was about ten percent. T h e i r r e g u l a r i t y of t h e Sulky

lip was l e s s than that of t h e l i p s of other c r a t e r i n g experiments

 DEPTH OF BURST (m/kt 113.4)
Fig. 4 . 3 . Apparent l i p height v e r s u s depth of b u r s t i n b a s a l t .
i n rock. T h i s probably is due t o t h e fact that v e r y l i t t l e ej e c t a

was thrown f r o m t h e t r u e c r a t e r and r a y s of e j e c t a w e r e not

deposited a s they have been f o r o t h e r c r a t e r i n g shots.

4 . 3 C M T E R MECHANISMS

T h e a v e r a g e r a d i u s of t h e b a s e of t h e Sulky rubble mound is

24.2 m e t e r s . T h e maximum distance f r o m t h e c e n t e r of t h e

mound t o t h e edge of t h e mound is 26.4 m e t e r s and t h e minimum

distance is 21.9 m e t e r s . T h e f a c t s that t h e mound b a s e is n e a r l y

c i r c u l a r , that no r a y s of ejecta w e r e f o r m e d , and that few

m i s s i l e s w e r e found beyond t h e mound indicate that t h e s p a l l

m e c h a n i s m was the most significant effect in t h e Sulky detona-

tion. T h e mound r o s e t o a considerable height due t o t h e s p a l l

and t h e m a t e r i a l was f r a c t u r e d and d i s a r r a n g e d . It a p p e a r s ,

however, that t h e broken m a t e r i a l fell back in approximately

the s a m e postion horizontally a s it had p r i o r t o the detonation.

T h i s phenomenon was probably due t o t h e fact that g a s

a c c e l e r a t i o n did not play an important r o l e i n t h e Sulky

detonation and consequently the ejected m a t e r i a l did not have

significant outward horizontal velocity components. It is

felt that t h e outer edge of t h e mound is the extent t o which the

spall m e c h a n i s m was effective i n s e v e r e l y disturbing t h e rock.

B a s e d on t h e foregoing discussion, it is r e a s o n a b l e t o a s s u m e

that the outer edge of t h e mound probably r e p r e s e n t s the t r u e

c r a t e r radius.
 Figure 4.4 shows the mound b a s e radius f o r Sulky and the

t r u e c r a t e r radii f o r a number of cratering experiments plotted

v e r s u s the depth of burst. The distance t o the outer edge of the

Sulky mound falls within the s c a t t e r of the t r u e c r a t e r radius

DOB curve.

Vertical displacement of the original ground surface o c c u r r e d

out t o approximately 52 m e t e r s f r o m surface zero. The

distance t o the edge of the upthrust is about twice the radius of

the base of the rubble mound. The amount of vertical displace-

ment averages one m e t e r at the edge of the rubble. The distance

t o the outer edge of the upthrust ground s u r f a c e for Sulky

compared well with Danny Boy and the Pre-Schooner t e s t s ,

i. e . , it was about twice the depth of burst for all of these t e s t s .

4.4 MOUND VOLUME

The volume of the portion of rubble lying above the original

ground s u r f a c e i s 8,700 cubic m e t e r s . Since t h i s volume l i e s

entirely above the preshot ground surface, it is apparent that

t h e basalt experienced c o n s i d e r a b l e bulking.
 DANNY BOY

A PRE-SCHOONER

10 15 20 25
DEPTH OF BURST (meters)

Fig. 4.4. T r u e c r a t e r r a d i u s v e r s u s depth of b u r s t in b a s a l t .

 CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

The Sulky experiment provided data f o r a nuclear c r a t e r i n g

detonation i n hard, d r y rock at a scaled depth of b u r s t deeper

than optimum. Although no apparent c r a t e r was produced,

Sulky contributed greatly t o our knowledge of the effect of

depth of b u r s t on the c r e a t e r produced by a nuclear detonation.

The r e s u l t s of the Sulky experiment have l e d t o the following

conclusions:

1. T h e scaled depth of b u r s t at which no apparent c r a t e r

is produced by a nuclear detonation in hard, d r y rock is

approximately 56 m/kt1/3' 4. A high-explosive charge, on t h e

other hand, produces an apparent c r a t e r at a scaled depth of

b u r s t up t o about 61 m / k t 1/3'4. In the range of scaled depths

of b u r s t of 50-60 m / k t 3.4, therefore, high explosives a r e

m o r e effective f o r apparent c r a t e r production than a r e

nuclear explosives.

2. Analysis of the relationships between apparent c r a t e r

dimensions and depth of b u r s t f o r nuclear detonations in

basalt indicate that the Danny Boy depth of b u r s t (43.5 m / k t 113.4)

is in the region of optimum depth of b u r s t f o r both apparent

c r a t e r r a d i u s and depth. It is recommended, t h e r e f o r e , that

Danny Boy b e used f o r predicting optimum c r a t e r dimensions

until additional nuclear c r a t e r i n g data become available.

-35-
 3. T h e scaled apparent l i p height f o r Sulky (mound height)

was l a r g e r than that f o r Danny Boy. T h i s i n c r e a s i n g apparent

lip height with increasing depth of b u r s t a l s o h a s been observed

f o r high explosive c r a t e r s . In t h e range of depths of b u r s t f o r

which data is available, the height of the apparent lip a p p e a r s

t o be independent of the type of explosive and can b e defined

in t e r m s of depth of b u r s t .

4. T h e edge of the rubble mound which defines the limit

of highly disturbed rock due t o spa11 probably a l s o defines the

t r u e c r a t e r r a d i u s f o r Sulky. T h i s conclusion is based on the

following c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e Sulky detonation: ( a ) no r a y s

of ejecta w e r e formed; (b) the mound b a s e was n e a r l y c i r c u l a r ;

and ( c ) t h e r e was no significant cracking and upthrust beyond the

outer edge of the rubble.

5. Upthrust associated with c r a t e r s f o r m e d by devices

buried i n t h e region of optimum depth of b u r s t can b e expected

t o extend approximately twice t h e depth of b u r s t f r o m s u r f a c e

zero.
 REFERENCES

1. " C r a t e r T e s t s i n Basalt," I s t h m i a n Canal Studies

M e m o r a n d u m 284 -P, P a n a m a C a n a l Company, J a n u a r y 1948.

2. Vortman, L. J . , e t al., " P r o j e c t Buckboard, 20-Ton

and l/2- on High Explosive C r a t e r i n g E x p e r i m e n t s i n B a s a l t

Rock, I' F i n a l Report SC4675 (RR), T h e Sandia C o r p o r a t i o n ,

August 1962.

3. Spruill, J. L. and R. A . Paul, " P r o j e c t P r e - S c h o o n e r ,

A p p a r e n t C r a t e r Studies, I ' P N E 502F, U. S. A r m y E n g i n e e r

N u c l e a r C r a t e r i n g Group, D e c e m b e r 1964.

4. Spruill, ,J. L. , " P r o j e c t Dugout, Apparent C r a t e r Studies, It

P N E 615F, U. S. A r m y E n g i n e e r N u c l e a r C r a t e r i n g Group,

L a w r e n c e Radiation L a b o r a t o r y , August 1965.

5. Nordyke, M. D, and W. Wary, " C r a t e r i n g and

Radioactivity R e s u l t s f r o m a N u c l e a r C r a t e r i n g Detonation i n

Basalt, " UCRL-6999 Rev. 11, O c t o b e r 1963.

6. Banks, D. C. and R. T. S a u c i e r , "Geology of

Buckboard Mesa, It PNE-5001, W a t e r w a y s E x p e r i m e n t Station,

J u l y 1964.

7. Nugent, R. C. and C . C. Banks, " P r o j e c t Sulky,

P r e s h o t Geologic Investigations, I' P N E - 7 19, U. S. A r m y

E n g i n e e r W a t e r w a y s E x p e r i m e n t Station, M a r c h 1965.
 DISTRIBUTION

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LEGAL NOTILE

l l i ~ slepolt w.lj prepared .& 81%.~ccorrnlof Governr~~csl sporrw~nlwotk

Nc!llle! llle Ull~lellSlates, !lor the C o a l ~ n ~ s s 1101
~ ~ rany
~ . pet\os actlrtg MI brl~.lll
ol lhe Eonlmlssloll.
A Makes any warrallly 01 reprcsenlal~o~~. expressed at Imyltell, rllll
rrrvecl lo the ilccuracy. conlplelelless. or uselulrless 01 llle l~llormal~on cirs
!?'t~ed111 1111sw w r l or lhal Ihe use 01 any in:ar~~wltoo.appardlas. ~nletllol,or
jh: l a I ~ ~ O C C S111scIoIed
S 111 1111sl e w l l nlay 1101lnlllnge prlvalely owtied r~ghts;or
B Assumes any l l a b ~ l ~ t l ewllh
s respecl lo the irse 01, or lor da~aa~es
lesulllog lrotn llre (use of ally lnlormal~on,apparatus. melllol or process dbs-
closed 11, l h ~ sleporl
As ~usfll III lhe .~bOve,"person acllng 011 behdll of lhe Cusrn~,s~o~!"
l ~ l c l ~ ~ dany
e s elnployee or conlraclor of the Commrss~o~~, or employee 01 srlc!~
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or employee of such contraclor prepares, dlssemrnales, or provldes access to.
m y dnlormallon pursuallt lo his employrnenl or conlract wrtll the Commiss~os.
or h ~ employmenl
s wllh such contlaclor.