Analysis of shock wave acceleration from normal detonation reflection

Abstract

Normal detonation reflection generates a shock wave that exhibits complicated dynamics as it propagates through the incident detonation and post-detonation flow. Ideal models have historically neglected the influence of a finite detonation thickness on the reflected shock due to its small size relative to laboratory scales. However, one-dimensional numerical simulations show that the reflected shock accelerates to a large shock speed not predicted by ideal theory as it propagates through the incident detonation. Analysis with a derived shock-change equation identifies the principal role of the highly nonuniform upstream flow on producing the large shock acceleration. Simulations of detonation reflection show how a finite detonation thickness affects the entire trajectory of the reflected shock.