Shock factor
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Shock factor is a commonly used figure of merit for estimating the amount of shock experienced by a naval target from an underwater explosion as a function of explosive charge weight, slant range, and depression angle (between vessel and charge). [1]
- R is the slant range in feet
- W is the equivalent TNT charge weight in pounds = charge weight (lbs) · Relative effectiveness factor
- is the depression angle between the hull and warhead.
The application scenario for Equation 1 is illustrated by Figure 1.
Figure 1: Shock Factor Application Scenario. |
The numeric result from computing the shock factor has no physical meaning, but it does provide a value that can be used to estimate the effect of an underwater blast on a vessel. Table 1 describes the effect of an explosion on a vessel for a range of shock factors.[2]
More information Damage, < 0.1 ...
Shock Factor | Damage |
---|---|
< 0.1 | Very limited damage. Generally considered insignificant |
0.1–0.15 | Lighting failures; electrical failures; some pipe leaks; pipe ruptures possible |
0.15–0.20 | Increase in occurrence of damage above; pipe rupture likely; machinery failures |
0.2 | General machinery damage |
≥ 0.5 | Usually considered lethal to a ship |
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