Crater measurements from approximately 1800 shots in more than 20 media with charge weights ranging from less than 1 lb to 320,000 lb were analyzed to: (a) gain a better understanding of the problems involved in determining the shape and size of craters formed by high explosives; (b) establish the order of variation that characterizes cratering data; and (3) develop improved and/or more generalized techniques for predicting crater dimensions. Scaling trends for shots fired on or under the ground are determined from plots of crater radius and depth as a function of charge weight. By means of the least-squares procedure, the equation of the line best fitting the data was determined, along with 95% confidence limits, thereby establishing empirically the scaling laws that relate crater size and charge weight. The well-known cube-root scaling law is not entirely acceptable for scaling all dimensions of a crater; apparently this law varies with the type of medium being cratered and the charge weight and position. Curves are presented to assist in predicting crater size and shape for charges up to 1,000,000 lb of TNT. Also, the influence of various soil types on crater size is shown graphically.

The question of the proper scaling of crater dimensions resulting from buried explosions is investigated. Dimensional analyses are performed from which four different scaling rules are derived. Data are reviewed in an attempt to distinguish which scaling rules are fundamental to cratering. Inability to perform cratering experiments with similitude apparently is one reason for lack of an unambiguous answer to the scaling question. Influences of possible sources of similarity violation are qualitatively examined, and some experiments are suggested which may provide more direct information about the correct scaling of crater dimensions.