Explosively-driven shock wave propagation around geometrical arrays

Explosively-driven shockwave propagation around geometrical arrays was studied using quantitative schlieren imaging.  The experiments were performed in transparent acrylic with various density inclusions incorporated.  Quantitative schlieren allowed visualization of shock reflection and diffraction patterns and measurement of local densities. Each sample was made with a 30° triangular shape connected a square base of 31.75 mm (1.25 in) in length. Inclusions of 6.35 mm (0.25 in) in diameter were placed on the base of the sample. Exploding bridgewires and detonators were used as explosive sources, which were initiated flush to the vertex angle of the acrylic plate to produce a shockwave.  High-speed refractive imaging was used to visualize and track the complexity of the shockwave propagating around the inclusions. Varied geometrical arrays were used to produce controlled shock wave interactions.