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Studies of the Effects of Cross-Sectional Area Change and Boundary-Layer Growth on the Motion of a Shock Wave

Citation

Russell, David Allison (1961) Studies of the Effects of Cross-Sectional Area Change and Boundary-Layer Growth on the Motion of a Shock Wave. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/HXQP-VQ30. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-11212003-155010

Abstract

Three problems concerned with the motion of a shock wave are discussed. The first is an analytical and experimental study of the performance of a shock tube with area change near the diaphragm. Interesting results of this section are the development of a simple shock-speed control through the use of area change, and the fact that a spread-out dissipation region was shown to exist for a configuration where a non-stationary secondary shock wave was originally expected. A general discussion of the use of this type of area change is also included. The second problem is a study of the effects of boundary-layer growth on the motion of a shock wave. A simple theory for predicting the attenuation of a shock wave on entering an upstream-facing tube is developed from the analysis of Spence and Woods. When simple laminar boundary-layer approximations are applied, the theory shows good agreement with measurements. The final problem is an experimental study of the motion of a shock wave downstream of a finite-length area contraction. Normalized results are presented which show that the shock wave emerges from the area change at a speed close to the "linearized" theory value, and is then attenuated by second-order disturbances until it reaches the speed predicted for the steady-state configuration. The results are presented in a form which is shown to be insensitive to both the incident shock Mach number and the amount of the area reduction.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:(Aeronautics and Physics)
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Aeronautics
Minor Option:Physics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Roshko, Anatol
Group:GALCIT
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:1 January 1961
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-11212003-155010
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-11212003-155010
DOI:10.7907/HXQP-VQ30
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:4624
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:21 Nov 2003
Last Modified:21 Nov 2023 18:14

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