An investigation into the propagation, reflection, and transmission of progressive shock waves through sudden changes in pipe cross-sectional area is described. The boundary conditions for relating the shock wave equations upstream and downstream of the area discontinuity are obtained by considering the flow at the junction as quasi-steady. Computer programmes are developed to analyse various alternative solutions to the problem, and the experimental results obtained on a 2-in diameter shock tube are reported. Incident shock waves of pressure ratio up to 4·83 (producing sonic flow) and pipe-diameter ratios up to 4:1 are considered and the results are presented in graphical form for future use.
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