On the theory of blast waves

The behavior of the blast wave from an exploding spherical volume is investigated mathematically over the entire range of blast-wave propagation. The computational method uses analytical results for a similar problem for a point explosion with counter pressure and the theory of an asymptotically equivalent point explosion. The asymptotic solution of the gas-dynamic equations away from the explosion site is matched to the initial conditions of blast-wave formation due to the disintegration of the detonation shock upon its arrival at the boundary of the exploding volume. The spatial distribution of the blast-front pressure is found for combustible gaseous systems and solid explosives. The theoretical results obtained agree quantitatively with available experimental measurements.