On the propagation of a weak shock front: Theory and application

Ramanathan, TM and Prasad, P and Ravindran, Renuka (1984) On the propagation of a weak shock front: Theory and application. In: Acta Mechanica, 51 (3-4). pp. 167-177.

PDF 10.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (534kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

In this paper the kinematics of a weak shock front governed by a hyperbolic system of conservation laws is studied. This is used to develop a method for solving problems, involving the propagation of nonlinear unimodal waves. It consists of first solving the nonlinear wave problem by moving along the bicharacteristics of the system and then fitting the shock into this solution field, so that it satisfies the necessary jump conditions. The kinematics of the shock leads in a natural way to the definition of ldquoshock-raysrdquo, which play the same role as the ldquoraysrdquo in a continuous flow. A special case of a circular cylinder introduced suddenly in a constant streaming flow is studied in detail. The shock fitted in the upstream region propagates with a velocity which is the mean of the velocities of the linear and the nonlinear wave fronts. In the downstream the solution is given by an expansion wave.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Acta Mechanica
Publisher:	Springer
Additional Information:	Copyright for this article belongs to Springer.
Department/Centre:	Division of Physical & Mathematical Sciences > Mathematics
Date Deposited:	28 Jan 2010 07:12
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 05:43
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/22861

Actions (login required)

View Item