Abstract: "A scale-model experiment was made to check the application of charge spacing rules developed from earlier studies to terrain of randomly varying elevation. Since a prominent possible peacetime use of nuclear explosives is the excavation of a trans-Isthmian canal, the model used was a portion of such a route. The experiment resulted in nearly the desired linear crater dimensions; the spacing rules developed for level trerain give a satisfactory channel when applied to terrain with elevations varying in random fashion."

From preface: The work described in this document is directed toward determining the optimum method of employing explosives to form a ditch, channel, or canal of certain desired dimensions.