Difference between revisions of "Relative effectiveness factor"

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The relative effectiveness factor (RE factor) relates an explosive's demolition power to that of TNT, in units of the TNT equivalent/kg (TNTe/kg). The RE factor is the relative mass of TNT to which an explosive is equivalent: The greater the RE, the more powerful the explosive.

This enables engineers to determine the proper masses of different explosives when applying blasting formulas developed specifically for TNT. For example, using PETN, engineers would need 1.0/1.66 (or 0.60) kg to obtain the same effects as 1 kg of TNT. With ANFO or ammonium nitrate, they would require 1.0/0.74 (or 1.35) kg or 1.0/0.42 (or 2.38) kg, respectively.^[1]

1 ton TNT equivalent is approximately:

• 1.0×10⁹ calories
• 4.184×10⁹ joules
• 3.96831×10⁶ British thermal units
• 3.08802×10⁹ foot pounds
• 1.162×10³ kilowatt hours

References

1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TNT_equivalent

Relevant Sciencemadness threads

• RE Factor for different stuff
• How is RE factor determined?