Gas Dynamics of Explosions

Abstract

The subject of the gas dynamics of explosions is important for the under­ standing of various natural phenomena and for practical applications. In the processes of explosions of various explosive materials, cosmic explosions, and electrical discharges, complex gas motions behind shock waves arise. These gas motions can be studied experimentally, by means of models, or theo­ retically, i .e. , by means of the investigation of mathematical problems using equations of gas dynamics. In this paper only the theoretical questions will be considered. The data of observations and experiments will be used only for the illustration of the theoretical conclusions. To avoid details of the blast origin we shall use, as a rule, the conception of the point explosion. We con­ sider here such relatively new questions for gas dynamics as the influence of electromagnetic fields and chemical reactions on the process of shock-wave propagation. The theory of explosions includes two main topics: (a) the propagation of blast waves in unbounded media; (b) the interaction of blast waves with different obstacles and shocks. We shall study the questions of the develop­ ment of the blast in unbounded media only and shall n� ' t consider the prob­ lems of reflection and diffraction of shock waves. The list of cited literature includes works published before July 1970, and does not pretend to be complete. Also, the problems discussed are those of particular interest to the author.