Numerical modeling of charge diameter effect on detonation properties of emulsion explosives using Wood-Kirkwood detonation model

Emulsion explosives exhibit strong nonideal detonation behavior, which provides a challenge for accurate numerical modeling. We present a nonideal detonation model based on the Wood–Kirkwood detonation theory and EXPLO5, capable of modeling the effect of the charge diameter on steady-state detonation velocity. The elements of the model are calibrated based on experimental data for four different emulsion explosives. It was demonstrated that both simple pressure-dependent and Kirby and Chan’s two-step reaction rate models can satisfactorily reproduce the detonation velocity–charge diameter data of unconfined charges. In addition, the reaction rate parameters are found to be a function of the density of explosives.