Shock propagation through a local constriction

TL;DR

This study uses validated large-eddy simulations to analyze how shock waves interact with localized constrictions in a conduit, revealing how blockage ratio, constriction length, and shape influence shock reflection and transmission.

Contribution

It provides new insights into shock-constriction interactions by systematically comparing rectangular and sinusoidal shapes and developing semi-empirical models for shock prediction.

Findings

Reflected shock strength depends mainly on blockage ratio.

Transmitted shock sensitivity varies with constriction length.

Sinusoidal constrictions show a strong coupling between blockage and length.

Abstract

The interaction of a shock wave with a localized constriction in a straight conduit is investigated by systematically varying the blockage ratio in the range 0.35-0.75, the normalized constriction length in the range 0.25-2, and the incident Mach numbers of 1.4 and 1.8. Abrupt rectangular constrictions and smoothly contoured sinusoidal constrictions are considered, as they provide two limiting configurations. Validated Large-eddy simulations resolve both the transient start-up dynamics and the subsequent propagation of reflected and transmitted shock waves. The results show that, for rectangular constrictions, the reflected shock strength depends primarily on the blockage ratio and is largely independent of length, whereas the transmitted shock exhibits measurable sensitivity to constriction length. In contrast, sinusoidal constrictions display a strong coupling between blockage and length, with the reflection process governed by the local contour slope and evolving reflection topology. The start-up process within the constriction occurs over time scales one to two orders of magnitude longer than the shock passage time and is characterized by a sequence of reflection, separation, and flow reorganization events that determine the eventual steady shock configuration. At later times, the reflected shock Mach number scales linearly with blockage ratio, while the transmitted shock strength decreases monotonically with increasing blockage. Based on these trends, semi-empirical models are developed to predict the strengths of both reflected and transmitted shocks across the parameter space considered. These results provide a unified framework for understanding and predicting shock propagation in conduits with localized geometric variations, with direct relevance to compressible internal flows in engineering and natural systems.