The merging of two gaseous bubbles with an application to underwater explosions. (Q1402650)

Using numerical simulations and relaying on previous experimental evidence, the authors give a criterion under which a merging of two gaseous (initially spherical) bubbles may occur after bubble formation by two simultaneous or one-after-another underwater explosions. Assuming axisymmetric potential flow in the surrounding liquid field, the authors define boundary conditions and use the boundary integral formulation via Green's integral formula for computing the time evolution of two merging bubbles. A good agreement between numerical simulations and experimental results is demonstrated.