Effect of Compressible Foam Properties on Pressure Amplification During Shock Wave Impact

A comprehensive study is made of the influence of the physical properties of compressible open-cell foam blocks exposed to shock-wave loading, and particularly on the pressure distribution on the shock tube walls. Seven different foams are used, with three different shock Mach numbers, and three different slab lengths. Foam properties examined include permeability, density, stiffness, tortuosity and cell characteristics. The investigations concentrate on both side-wall and back-wall pressures, and the peak pressures achieved, as well as collapse velocities of the front face and the strength and nature of the reflected shock wave. The consequences of deviations from one-dimensionality are identified; primarily those due to wall friction and side-wall leakage. The results presented are the most comprehensive and wide ranging series conducted in a single facility and are thus a significant resource for comparison with theoretical and numerical studies. The different foams show significant differences in behavior, both in terms of peak pressure and duration, depending primarily on their density and permeability.