Formation of blast waves as a result of a low pressure domain decomposition

In this article the formation and propagation of blast wave as a result of a focusing of shock wave in a domain with low pressure and density are examined in the frame of an ideal gas model. We consider the decomposition of a pressure-density discontinuity on the boundary of the spherical (or cylindrical) domain which is filled by a gas whose pressure and density are lower than the pressure and density of gas that filling the external space. At initial moments of this decomposition the rarefaction wave propagates in the external space and the converging shock wave is formed in the domain of low pressure and density. The intensity of the converging shock wave gradually increases, and the wave transitions to the self-similar regime. After implosion, a diverging shock wave is formed which propagates through the disturbed gas. The values of wave intensity, wave impulse and other parameters for some magnitudes of initial parameters have been determined by means of numerical calculations. Received 10 August 1997 / Accepted 13 July 1998