We present a complete experimental and theoretical study of hot spots
generation in pressed explosive compositions. First, the results of ex
periments leading to the identification of the hot spots origin are de
tailed. Then, using these results, a physical model is developed. Thre
e applications are presented. The firts one is devoted to the study of
the sensitivity of mixed HMX/TATB compositions. The second one deals
with double shock desensitization. The third one is the development of
an efficient SDT kinetics using the hot spot model previously describ
ed.