Weak shock reflection from an open end of a tube with a baffle plate

Abstract The present paper describes experimental and numerical investigations of a new boundary condition at an open end of a tube, in which a weak shock wave is discharged towards the surroundings. Experimental and computational investigations were performed on a simple shock tube with and without baffle plates. A numerical calculation was carried out for an unsteady, axisymmetric, inviscid, compressible flow. The size of baffle plate was varied in order to understand its effect on the reflection of the weak shock wave from the open end of the tube. With and without a baffle plate, the results of the experiment were in good agreement with those of numerical calculations. The results showed that an open end correction is subject to the presence of a baffle plate at the open end. An improved empirical equation for the reflection of the weak shock wave from the open end of a duct with and without a baffle plate was developed.