1. What is Net Explosive Weight?

Net Explosive Weight (NEW) is a measure of the explosive potential of a material, calculated as the mass of the explosive multiplied by its TNT equivalent factor. It allows comparison of different explosives to a standard (TNT).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the NEW equation:

Where:

• \( Mass \) — Mass of the explosive material (kg)
• \( TNT\ Equivalent \) — Relative effectiveness factor compared to TNT (decimal)

Explanation: The equation converts any explosive quantity to its equivalent mass of TNT for standardized comparison.

3. Importance of NEW Calculation

Details: NEW is crucial for safety regulations, storage requirements, transportation regulations, and blast effect predictions in demolition and mining operations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and TNT equivalent as a decimal (e.g., 0.75 for 75% as powerful as TNT). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is TNT equivalent?
A: A measure of how much energy an explosive releases compared to TNT (trinitrotoluene), which is the standard with a value of 1.0.

Q2: What are typical TNT equivalent values?
A: RDX = 1.6, ANFO = 0.74, Dynamite = 1.25, C4 = 1.34. Values vary by specific formulation.

Q3: Why use NEW instead of raw mass?
A: Different explosives have different energy densities. NEW allows standardized comparison for safety and regulatory purposes.

Q4: Are there limitations to NEW calculations?
A: NEW doesn't account for detonation velocity or other explosive characteristics that affect performance in specific applications.

Q5: How is NEW used in regulations?
A: Many jurisdictions base storage limits, transportation requirements, and safety distances on NEW rather than raw explosive weight.