A generalisation of the theory of geometrical shock dynamics (Q1195035)

The theory of geometrical shock dynamics due to Whitham is reconsidered by studying the propagation of a shock down a tube of slowly varying cross sectional area. The motion of the shock is described by an infinite sequence of ordinary differential equations which are coupled to all its predecessors but only to its immediate successor, a feature which allows the system to be closed by truncation. The theory developed allows account to be taken of non-uniform flow conditions behind the shock. This is of particular interest in consideration of underwater blast waves.