Shock-tube flow computation including the diaphragm and boundary-layer effects

The paper presents a computation of the flow regime in shock-tubes, which takes into account the finite duration of the diagram opening and of the hot gas boundary layer. The computation is performed by a classical method of characteristics using simplifying hypothesis the most important of which are the prior knowledge of the mechanical opening process of the diaphragm, the one-dimensional behavior of the flow, and the neglect of the cold gas boundary layer. The spatial and temporal evolution of the flow is deduced, particularly that of the shock wave; the usual phases of acceleration and deceleration may be observed in the selected examples.