Observation and analysis of the Mach reflection of weak uniform plane shock waves. Part 2. Analysis

Abstract

A non-stationary approach to the reflection of weak plane shocks is suggested as an alternative to the usual pseudo-stationary transformation. For regular reflection the non-stationary model produces results which are identical to those obtained using the pseudo-stationary assumption, but with simpler algebra. For weak Mach reflections, where the predictions of the pseudo-stationary model are in disagreement with experimental results, the non-stationary model predicts accurately the observed shapes and positions of the reflected and Mach stem shocks and the spatially varying flow properties behind these shocks. However, the non-stationary model predicts that the gas flows above and below the contact surface, relative to the triple point, are not quite parallel. Parallel flows could be obtained only in the limiting case of grazing incidence, when the reflected shock was sonic. The model is based on the experimental results presented in Part 1 of this paper.