Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models were created and analyzed using the commercially available hydrocode SHARC to determine if SHARC can accurately predict the behavior of explosions in enclosed vented chambers. Axisymmetric two-dimensional models were generated using the same physical parameters used in similar model tests performed by the US Army. Three different chamber/vent configurations were investigated with three charge sizes per configuration in order to compare the SHARC results to the data obtained from the model tests. The time of arrival of shocks and the peak over-pressure were compared. The calculations were then analyzed using several graphical tools currently available. It was found that SHARC is able to produce valid results, but with some limitations. One such limitation stems from the nature of computational fluid dynamics calculations in that some information is lost due to the discrete time steps used for calculating the various flow field parameters. Another limitation was introduced by the utility program necessary for restarting the code due to the interpolating process it uses to generate data for input to future executions of SHARC. As with any software used as an engineering aid, SHARC must be used with caution. Plots of flow parameters are recommended to analyze physical trends. Comparison plots are presented here for trend information only in the absence of highly expensive benchmark-quality data
