Date of Award

12-1995

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Engineering Physics

First Advisor

Clifton E. Dungey, PhD

Abstract

The Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) is improving the military's capability to forecast dosage and hazard levels due to release of chemical, biological, and nuclear agents. During Operation DESERT STORM the military realized the need for models to predict risk levels for military personnel assigned proximate to missile attacks. One project associated with this is the continuing development of the Operational Multiscale Environmental Model with Grid Adaptivity (OMEGA). DNA has sponsored AFIT to validate OMEGA with focus on incorporating weather data obtained from Air Force Combat Climatology Center for the period of the Chernobyl Nuclear Accident. The physics of the model is tested using National Weather Service Medium Range Forecast data by comparing predicted wind fields for three weather stations with analysis maps. The model is further tested using the data generated at Air Force Combat Climatology Center for the first three days following the release at the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant. A user-defined source term was developed to simulate the release of radionuclides from the plant. Analysis from paired t-tests shows statistically how well OMEGA predicts wind fields. The results show qualitatively the promise of OMEG to meet the needs of the Defense Nuclear Agency as the model is under development.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GEE-ENP-95D-10

DTIC Accession Number

ADA306629

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