The most important thing i've yet to hear a yes or no about...

[Cedayon]

Originally posted by rhofman
It may be out of your area but what would happen to concrete if it was heated to the insane temperature caused by nuclear detonation?

Or to an even more insane temperature caused by some of those nice shiny higher tech weapons we'll be using?

[Jamski]

Isn't concrete a mix of sand, gravel and cement? So I'd expect the sand to fuse in to glass. Now why are nuclear bunkers made from concrete?

-Jam

[Cedayon]

Originally posted by War of Art
Isn't concrete a mix of sand, gravel and cement? So I'd expect the sand to fuse in to glass. Now why are nuclear bunkers made from concrete?

-Jam

Because it's cheaper than most alternatives and you don't care what the outer surface of the bunker is like after the attack, as long as you're safe?

[amniodarone]

I would hazard a guess that if your nuclear bunker is getting "glassed" you are just a little too close to the detonation to live. If a stellar converter just went off in your planet's atmosphere, you are probably toast no matter where you are at.

[viciouscycle]

Originally posted by rhofman
Thanks Vicious.

It may be out of your area but what would happen to concrete if it was heated to the insane temperature caused by nuclear detonation?

I don't know what temperatures are achieved in a nuclear explosion. But if you heated concrete enough, it would change from a solid to a liquid and if you then heated it even more it would change from a liquid to a gas just like any other substance. It would depend on the thickness of the concrete and the duration and temperature of the heating. If you have very thick concrete and a very short heat time, maybe only some of the concrete melts and/or vaporizes.

[Cedayon]

If someone manages to vaporize the entire outer wall of your bunker, you definately have bigger problems on your hands