Abstract Plasma pulse shock wave rock-breaking technology represents a novel approach to rock fracturing. Present research on this subject largely addresses rocks and electrodes, yet often neglects the critical influence of shock waves in the rock-breaking process. Therefore, it is necessary to further study the propagation law of the shock wave and its reflection and transmission. This paper undertakes experimental simulations using the RHT rock model to explore the propagation process of plasma pulse shock waves based on two variables: the medium and the shape of the electrode. Integrated with one-dimensional stress wave theory, the study examines the impact of four specific parameters—dielectric thickness, surrounding rock height, surrounding rock density, and surrounding rock porosity—on the reflection and transmission rates of shock waves. Pressure data collected from experimental platform are utilized to validate the study’s conclusions. The findings indicate that the propagation behaviors of shock waves differ significantly between water and air mediums. The shape of the electrode causes significant differences in the pressure exerted by the shock wave at the same location. Both the thickness of the dielectric and the porosity of the surrounding rock show a positive correlation with the reflection coefficient and a negative correlation with the transmission coefficient, while the density of the surrounding rock exhibits an inverse relationship. The height of the surrounding rock is irrelevant to both reflection and transmission coefficients.
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