The random choice method applied to two-dimensional shock focusing and diffraction (Q1085002)

After a brief introduction to the random choice method (RCM) of one space dimension and a short discussion of some of its essential features an application to two space dimensions is made, based on an operator splitting technique proposed by \textit{A. J. Chorin} [e.g. ibid. 22, 517- 533 (1976; Zbl 0354.65047)]. To show the influence of the random number generators, results are presented using both a generator proposed by Chorin and that of van der Corput. As a numerical test problem, the shock focusing by a concave reflector is calculated. The numerical results are compared with experimental ones. For the first time the agreement between the numerical and experimental results is quite good using the RCM in two space dimensions. Furthermore the application of the RCM to shock diffraction at a 90\(\circ\) corner is shown. These results are also compared with experimental ones.