Numerical Investigation of Shock Wave Decay Phenomenon in Free Atmosphere

Abstract

A numerical investigation of shock wave propagation in open atmosphere is presented to observe the shock wave decaying phenomena due to expansion in the free space. By examining different parameters (Pressure, velocity and density) of the upstream and downstream flow of the wave, it is possible to estimate the decaying phenomena of the wave strength. The governing equations described for compressible inviscid flow are discretized by the finite volume method. The three-dimensional Euler equations are solved by shock capturing method. Shock wave of Mach number 1.5 is allowed to flow through a shock tube and at different time intervals (35 μsec, 96 μsec, 121 μsec and 190 μsec), velocity, pressure and density variations along the center line of shock tube are investigated to observe the decay phenomenon across the shock front in open atmosphere.. The results have been compared with the Navier-Stokes Simulation (NS) results to establish the absence of viscous effects in the present flow. Due to absence of the solid boundary of the selected numerical domain in the free space, the fluid flow will act as non-viscous flow. The wave propagation in free space changes its propagation characteristics due to rapid expansion in all directions and at the same time the decay of the wave strength is observed.