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Shock tube exit flow fields through thin membranes

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Abstract

The flow field characteristics that form for a shock wave propagating through a membrane-like termination at the exit of a shock tube are studied. The strength of the shock wave reflected back into the tube, as well as the strength of the shock wave transmitted, is examined. Six different materials are used, ranging from copper and aluminium foils to a variety of elastic and plastic sheets, in a few cases with different initial pressure differentials. High-speed shearing interferometry imaging is done of the external flow. Three principal characteristics are present in the transmitted flow: a diffracted shock wave, an expansion wave and a re-compression shock wave. It is found that the prominence of these features varies depending on the material type. For the later flow development and material rupture, there are a number of principal characteristics: small vortices, secondary shock waves, a vortex ring, oblique waves and a Mach disc.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Flow Research Unit, School of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Jennifer Schulz & Beric Skews

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  1. Jennifer Schulz
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  2. Beric Skews
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Correspondence to Beric Skews.

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Schulz, J., Skews, B. Shock tube exit flow fields through thin membranes. J Vis 23, 215–229 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12650-020-00627-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12650-020-00627-0

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