effects test group in Nevada, and is responsible for obtaining basic weapons effects data, field testing and training. The observer program familiarizes civil defense personnel with civil defense problems by direct observation of the nuclear weapons effects. The test information program was established to assist the Atomic Energy Commission in educating the public in the area of nuclear weapons effects. FCDA participation in nuclear weapons tests is carried out in close cooperation with other Federal agencies to insure maximum benefit to all agencies engaged in test activities and to avoid any duplication of effort. All projects are screened by an interagency committee prior to acceptance in the test program. FCDA invites and assists most other Federal civilian agencies in executing projects of common interest or programs having civil-defense implications. State and local government officials are also given an opportunity to participate either in our observer program or in our training programs. Industry also participated under FCDA sponsorship. If industry is in need of information relating to nuclear weapons effects not otherwise available and if a civil defense value is to be derived, FCDA will sponsor the proposal. Over 200 industries have donated $212 million for test projects since 1953. In the test series just concluded, Operation Plumbbob, FCDA arranged for the French and West German Governments to test their civil-defense shelters using their designs and many of their components. Since 1951 FCDA has had staff observation in every test series. We have invited official observers, including news mediums, to every continental test from Operation Upshot Knothole in 1953 through Operation Plumbbob in 1957. The number of observers has varied from 250 to 1,300 persons per series. In the fall of 1951 in the Buster-Jangle series, FCDA began sponsoring technical participation. A contract was executed with the Lehigh University Institute of Research to prepare a series of manuals on shelters. With the assistance of FCDA, Lehigh designed a number of family shelters. Before approving the manuals we determined the effectiveness of the proposed structures by field testing. A total of 29 simple structures were tested; 18 were covered trench type, 5 metal arch, 4 wood arch, and 2 basement lean-to structures. The structural strength, materials, amount of earth, elevation, and orientation were varied for test purposes. (See slide No. 1.) Shown here is a covered trench-type shelter which is typical of the structures tested. This is a corrugated metalarch structure prior to and after being exposed to the blast. (See slide No. 2.) All 29 shelters were exposed to three detonations with varying pressures from about 10 to 15 pounds per square inch. The test structures were severely damaged by the three explosions, but considerable useful data were obtained. The tests showed that small shelters could provide a degree of protection commensurate with protection necessary at that time. At that time only small weapons had been designed. The information was used to design safer shelters for that period. Mr. HOLIFIELD. As these shelters are shown here, would you please identify the year in which the test occurred or do they all refer to 1957? Mr. SAUNDERS. No, sir; these shelters were tested in 1951. Mr. HOLIFIELD. All right, as you present the different shelter pictures, give us some information as to when they were tested, and also the pounds per square inch they were subjected to. Mr. SAUNDERS. Yes. Mr. HOLIFIELD. I imagine your statement will give most of that but be sure to include it. Mr. SAUNDERS. It does, sir, but in these earlier tests I have skipped over a lot of the detail because it is not pertinent to the hearing of today. Mr. HOLIFIELD. Yes. Mr. SAUNDERS. In the Tumbler Snapper series of 1952, FCDA initiated a radiological defense program which has been continued in every continental test series with increasing effort. The objectives of the radiological programs are to determine the nature and magnitude of the nuclear radiation hazard, field tests and evaluate instruments, establish survey and decontamination techniques, and provide training and develop training materials. During Upshot Knothole series, in 1953, FCDA conducted three technical programs: A vehicle test program was conducted on 100 vehicles to evaluate the nuclear weapons effects on automobiles, trucks, and buses. A radiological defense operations program was conducted to accomplish the radiological defense objectives outlined earlier, including the first on-site training course. A program was conducted to determine the response of conventional framehouses at 2 and 5 pounds per square inch and to determine the adequacy of family shelters against pressures from 2 to 45 pounds per square inch. This is a basement corner room shelter tested in the houses at 2 and 5 pounds per square inch. Note the minor damage done to the floor joists causing no debris load on this particular shelter. (See slide No. 3.) A model of the basement exit shelters and the completed shelter is shown here. They were designed for tests at 20 and 45 pounds per square inch. However, they received only 10 and 20 pounds per square inch and were essentially undamaged by the blast. (See slide No. 4.) In addition, we tested a concrete-type shelter and retested the covered trench shelter using masonary construction. Also tested in the basements of the houses were lean-to type structures as shown here. (See slide No. 5.) In addition, FCDA sponsored and designed and conducted a halfbillion-dollar project to determine the response of curtain walls and interior partitions to blast loading. |