Blast wave kinematics: theory, experiments, and applications

Abstract Measurements of the time arrival shock waves from explosions can serve as powerful markers evolution front for determining crucial parameters driving blast. Using standard theoretical tools and a simple ansatz solving hydrodynamics equations, general expression Mach number is derived. Dimensionless coordinates are introduced allowing straightforward visualization direct comparison blast produced by variety explosions, including chemical, nuclear, laser-induced plasmas. The results validated yield wide range using data gram-size charges to thermonuclear tests.