Diffraction of Shock by Flat Surfaces

Abstract

Ting and Ludloff (1952) have obtained the pressure and density fields that develop behind shocks advancing over arbitrary flat surfaces based on the linearized theory. The work presented here is more direct and the results obtained are more general than those of Lighthill (1949). Shocks passing over flat surfaces of arbitrary shape can be dealt with in such a manner that explicit expressions result for the pressure and density fields in the whole domain behind the advancing shock. In this way, comparison with shock tube experiments can be carried out, and interesting details about the nature of the “slip stream” occurring in Mach reflection can be determined.