Some properties of flow produced by the collision of two counterpropagating shock waves

Results of a numerical investigation of the nonstationary interaction of two shock waves are presented. In particular, data are obtained on the distribution of the gasdynamic parameters of interference flow in space and in time. The characteristic features of the flow are determined, and two stages of the propagation of the shock waves within each other are identified. The propagation of a shock wave in an unperturbed gas is compared with the propagation of the same wave through an arbitrary counterpropagating shock wave.