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).
- 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 2 describes the effect of an explosion on a vessel for a range of shock factors.
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Table 1: Shock Factor Table of Effects 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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Read more about Shock Factor: Background
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