Shock wave propagation and reflections in confined two- and three-dimensional geometries

Explosively driven shock propagation was studied using a miniature shock demonstrator made from laser cut acrylic sheets to model various geometries in two and three dimensional space. Shock waves are produced using an electric spark gap on a detonator header which is driven by an FS-17 fire set. The spark causes an air shock which propagates through the demonstrator. Shock reflection, diffraction, and complex interactions are studied in the transition from two to three-dimensional space. The propagation is quantified in terms of velocity throughout the geometries. In addition, piezoelectric pressure gauges are used to measure static and reflected pressures at various locations in the geometries. The demonstrator is placed within a schlieren imaging system to obtain high speed images of the shock propagation caused by the explosive events.