Shock Wave Propagation in an Obstructed Area

Abstract

The aim of this study is to characterize the behaviour and propagation of a shock wave in an obstructed area. The recent literature demonstrates the attenuation of shock wave versus the obstacle shape and matrix arrangement. The paper will present an experimental work conducted at a small scale. The shock wave is created from the detonation of a hemispherical gaseous charge confined in a bubble on a surface. The obstruction zone is obtained by rigid vertical cylinders in an open area. Influences of distribution and areal density of the cylinders as function of the mass of explosive charge are investigated. The blast wave is characterized by using pressure sensors and a high-speed camera. Hence, the pressure sensors acquired overpressure and the arrival time. The propagation and reflexion, diffraction of shock wave, are analysed from the pictures produced during the visualization tests.

A Review of Blast Loading in the Urban Environment

“…The findings highlight the potential benefits of multiple cameras, pitched perpendicularly to each other, to expose three-dimensional effects that cannot be detected using a single camera or overpressure data alone. Regarding shock wave interaction with a finite object or an array of simple obstacles, it appears necessary to focus on imaging to ensure three-dimensional effects are detected [34].…”