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Author
Bracciaventi, J.
Title
Fire Start Capabilities of Nuclear Detonations in Urban Areas: A Prediction Model. Progress Report 4. Final Report.
Coporate
Naval Applied Science Lab., Brooklyn, NY
Sponsor
Office of Civil Defense, Washington, DC
Report
Progress Report 4; Lab. Project 940-90, September 30, 1969, 72 p.
Keywords
urban fires | detonation | nuclear warfare | thermal radiation | ignition | radiation ignition
Abstract
A method for predicting the distribution of primary ignitions in urban areas due to nuclear detonations is presented. The model calculates separately the number of expected ignitions in window fuel arrays, tinder fuel arrays interior to rooms, and exterior fuel arrays. Fuel distributions and distributions of urban characteristics are utilized in the calculation. Shadowing by buildings and obstructions, and attenuation by window panes, and screens are considered. Fire-start capabilities of the ignitions are described by enumerating the ignitions by zones in each occupancy or use-class together with estimates of their burning times and fuel values. The fuel load in each zone due to major fuels and kindling fuels is also specified.