Experiments on Guderley Mach reflection

Abstract

Experiments have been conducted in a large shock tube to examine the four-wave shock reflection pattern, now known as Guderley reflection (GR). The fourth wave, an expansion, is clearly identified, as is the supersonic patch behind the reflected wave. A shocklet terminating the supersonic patch behind the reflected wave is identified, which forms a second triple point further down the Mach stem. Evidence is presented showing the presence of more than one expansion wave and more than one shocklet, thus indicating the existence of more than one supersonic patch. In order to distinguish between cases with a single patch without the shocklet as originally proposed by Guderley and found in some computations, and the indications of a multi-patch geometry found here, and also in other computations, this latter case is designated Guderley Mach reflection (GMR). Multi-exposure images of the shock propagation superimposed on a single image frame enable estimates to be made of the strength of the major waves, and it is shown that the reflected wave is very weak.