Tentative estimates of the sharp''-rising overpressures as a function of duration which represent a lethal hazard to the 70-kg animal 1, 50, and 99% of the time were presented. The predictions were based on interspecies correlations and extrapolations encompassing blast-tolerance data for six mammalian species. The tentative application of the data to indicate human blast tolerance was discussed and relevant uncertainties in the estimates were emphasized. It was also pointed out that biologic tolerance would be different for air-blast pulses having non-ideal wave forms frequently associated with various geometries of exposure. Selected pathophysiological information pertinent to the biological response following blast exposure was given; namely, survival time and selected postshot observations of dogs and goats. (auth)

The nature of certain critical lesions seen after exposure to air blast is described. The early lethality characterizing primary and tertiary blast damage is emphasized along with the seriousness of injuries caused by blastenergized debris. Tentative criteria are developed to the end that different levels of environmental variations caused by blast phenomena could be quantitatively related to various levels of biological response. Using the free- field scaling laws and a mathematical model whereby translational velocities can be computed for animate and inanimate objects, the criteria are applied to nuclear explosions ranging in yield from 1 kt to 100 Mt. Thus, it is possible to specify, as a function of yield, the hazard ranges inside which various blast injuries might occur. At these ranges the associated levels of initial nuclear and thermal radiation were computed to allow at least some assessment of the relative importance of all the major hazards from nuclear detonations. (auth)

A computational model was used in studies of the biological effects of blast from nuclear explosions. The translational effects of blast waves for objects as small as a 10-mg stone and as large as a 168-lb man were computed from theoretical studies and results were compared to field data for near-ideal blast waves from nuclear explosions. Results indicate that the motion of experimental objects can be satisfactorily predicted for free-field conditions or for window glass in houses. Results were computed for high explosives with free air burst. Parameters computed include velocity, displacement, and acceleration as functions of time for a variety of objects exposed to blast waves with 12 maximum overpressures ranging from 1 to 20 atm. All computations were made for one ton of high explosives burst in free air, but the results may be readily scaled to lower or higher yields and to surface bursts. The missiles are identified by their acceleration coefficients which range from 0.01 to 6.0 ft/sup 2//lb. (C.H.)