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Role of Geology in Assessing Vulnerability of Underground Fortifications

Learn how geology impacts underground structures' vulnerability to attacks, with historical insights and modern examples, emphasizing the importance of geotechnical data for assessing and countering threats efficiently.

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Role of Geology in Assessing Vulnerability of Underground Fortifications

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  1. Role of Geology in Assessing Vulnerability of Underground Fortifications CPT Leif E. Christensen

  2. Purpose • To inform the class on how geology affects the vulnerability of underground structures to conventional attack with historical examples.

  3. References • Military Geology in War and Peace, 1998 • http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1990/PFA.htm • http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/china/theater/df-15.htm

  4. Outline • Historical Precedence • Geology and Facilities • Vulnerabilities • Modern Systems • Summary • Conclusion

  5. Historical Precedence • 400KBC Pithecanthropus (Java Man) • 3,500BC Egypt and Mesopotamia • 400 BC Ballista, ram, tunnels • A.D. 717 Constantinople - Greek Fire

  6. Historical Precedence • A.D. 1161 Explosives in China • 14th Century Artillery • 19th Century Overhead casements • 20th Century Big Birtha, TacNuc, UGF

  7. Historical Precedence • Sir John Adams, 1924, UK Special Air Raid Precautions Subcommittee concluded: • “that in the next war, it may well be the nation whose people can endure aerial bombardment the longer and with greater stoicism, that will ultimately prove victorious”

  8. Geology and Facilities • In conventional warfare, the first few meters are critical. • UGFs buried more than several meters are typically immune to nonpenetrating rounds. • Hard rock may even provide immunity to nuclear attack. • Siege craft success is dependant upon accurate geologic assessment.

  9. Geology and Facilities • Think outside the box and neutralize rather than destroy. • “Strategic geologic intelligence” assesses and maximizes UGFs with regard to topo, lithology, structure, and rock burial. • “Deutch Report” (1994) identified 16 key areas to defeat threats. • detection • defeat

  10. Vulnerablilities • Depth • Rock-mass strength • Surface-layer penetrability • function of compressive strength • quality of rock (jointing, faulting, etc.) • depth of weathered rock

  11. Vulnerabilities • With known data, modeling is possible • Projected penetration • Acceptable risk

  12. Our Little Friend Aerial delivered “bunker buster” GAM Warhead ~4500 lbs Penetration: Concrete - 20 ft; Earth Works - 100 ft

  13. Not so Friendly Chinese made DF-15 (aka M-9) High mobility wheeled launch platform Warhead Yield 50-350 KT or conventional Range of 200-600 kms

  14. Summary • History • Geology and facilities • Vulnerabilities

  15. Questions

  16. Conclusion • Throughout history mankind has hidden underground when seeking protection. By using precise geotechnical data, we can effectively determine both our own degree of protection and the most efficient way of defeating an underground threat.

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