The reflection of pressure waves of finite amplitude from an open end of a duct

Abstract

When plane pressure waves in a duct reach an open end, they establish a complicated three-dimensional wave pattern in the vicinity of the exit which tends to readjust the exit pressure to its steady-flow level. This adjustment process is continually modified by further incident waves, so that the effective instantaneous boundary conditions which determine the reflected wave depend on the flow history. In the analysis of a nonsteady-flow problem by means of a wave diagram, it has been customary to assume that the steady-flow boundary conditions are instantaneously established. While this simplifying assumption appears reasonable, the resulting errors have been undetermined. It is the purpose of the present investigation to obtain improved boundary conditions. The results of a previous study of the reflection of shock waves from an open end have now been extended to other waves of finite amplitude. The reflected waves computed by means of the new procedure are in good agreement with experimental data observed in a shock tube for a variety of flow conditions. The pressure variations in a reflected wave lag behind those derived in the conventional manner by the time in which a sound wave travels about one or two duct diameters. Such lags are small, but may occasionally become significant. As a consequence of the lag, certain discontinuities of the incident wave do not reappear in the reflected wave. This improved understanding of the reflection process has made it possible to clarify some previously unexplained experimental observations.