Chapter 3.7 - Theory of Shock Waves: 3.7. Geometrical Shock Dynamics

Abstract

This chapter discusses geometrical shock dynamics. Geometrical shock dynamics is a special method that can be used for calculating and analyzing shock wave-related phenomena, such as diffraction, propagation, reflection, refraction, and interaction of shock waves. On the basis of gasdynamic fundamental equations, geometrical shock dynamics establishes its own governing equations and theoretical system, which are different from gasdynamics. The main difference between shock dynamics and gasdynamics is that for the former, the objective is to concentrate on the shock front (shock surface), while for the latter, the objective is the whole flow field. Furthermore, shock dynamics can be divided into two parts: shock wave propagating through a quiescent gas, including a uniform gas and a non-uniform gas and shock wave propagating through a moving gas, including a uniform flow and a nonuniform flow.