Sympathetic detonation is one important element for the initiation of explosives. The sympathetic detonation
for high explosives has been investigated for the last several decades1). However, most experiments were
conducted in the atmosphere, while the phenomenon of underwater sympathetic detonation was only slightly investigated.
The underwater sympathetic detonation of Composition B (RDX: 64%, TNT: 36%, Detonation velocity 7,900 m/s)
was investigated. The distance between the donor explosive and the receptor explosive was varied in the water.
In order to investigate the basic characteristics of the underwater sympathetic detonation of the high explosives,
the underwater sympathetic detonation and the shockwave in the water was captured by a high - speed camera
(HADLAND PHOTONICS, IMACON790). In addition, the pressure of sympathetic detonation is measured using a Manganin gauge
(KYOWA Electronic INSTRUMENTS CO. SKF - 21725). The pressures in the cases of complete and incomplete explosions were measured.
The numerical simulation was used to investigate the sympathetic detonation more extensively.
The numerical simulation was performed by solving the equations of mass, momentum and energy under Lagrange
coordinate system and the equation of state of explosives. In the numerical simulation of sympathetic detonation
it was very important to investigate the treatment for the reaction of explosives. Many researchers have proposed
the burn technique, which calculate the reaction rate of explosives. We used Lee - Tarver model because the burn
technique incorporates the ignition and growth concept of shock initiation for high explosives.
The results of both the experiments and the numerical simulations are presented.