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7685751 
Journal Article 
THE TROUBLE WITH TNT EQUIVALENCE 
Locking, PM; , 
2011 
DESTECH PUBLICATIONS, INC 
LANCASTER 
143-154 
English 
WOS:000297632200016 
When assessing a high explosive, most blast calculations require the mass as an equivalent charge of TNT, since TNT is used by many algorithms as the baseline. This equivalency is expected to give the same performance as the charge in question. Accurate equivalences are therefore key in determining performance. Unfortunately, there are no definitive methods or documents. Variability is found to be so significant that errors can be up to 50%, with 20% to 30% being typical. Three standard explosives (RDX, HMX and Comp B) were assessed in detail and their TNT equivalence calculated. Standard scaling theory indicates that TNT equivalence should be constant, this is shown as incorrect. UFC manuals recommend only the use of Heats of Detonation for equivalence, this and other functions such as Power Index and Hydrodynamic Work are assessed. This paper looks at the issues and recommends that Power Index is used to calculate the TNT equivalence for blast. 
Baker, E; Templeton, D; 
26th International Symposium on Ballistics 
Miami, FL