Calculation of Detonation Parameters by EXPLO5 Computer Program

Abstract. Detonation parameters of several high explosives were calculated using own chemical-equilibrium computer program named EXPLO5. The program is based on the chemical equilibrium, steady-state model of detonation. It uses the Becker-Kistiakowsky-Wilson’s equation of state (BKW EOS) for gaseous detonation products and Cowan-Fickett’s equation of state for solid carbon. The calculation of equilibrium composition of detonation products is done in the program by applying modified White, Johnson, and Dantzig’s free energy minimisation technique. The program is designed so that it enables the calculation of detonation parameters at the CJ point, as well as parameters of state along the expansion isentrope. The paper summarises results of the calculation of the detonation parameters of several standard high explosives by EXPLO5 program, using own set of constants in the BKW equation of state, so-called BKWN set (α = 0.5, β = 0.176, κ = 14.71, and θ = 6620). It was shown in the paper that the program can be used for the calculation of detonation velocity, pressure, temperature, heat, and detonation energy with reasonable accuracy – these detonation parameters can be calculated with the error less than 10 %.