DETONATION STRUCTURES GENERATED BY MULTIPLE SHOCKS ON RAM-ACCELERATORPROJECTILES

The detailed detonation structure generated by multiple shocks on ram- accelerator projectiles is studied using highly resolved numerical sti mulations. The simulations show that the detonation structure on the p rojectile consists of the following basic elements: nonreactive shocks , induction regions, deflagration waves, and detonation waves. The sha pe and location of these basic elements strongly depends on the projec tile Mach number. In some cases, the induction region and the related detonation wave are primarily associated with one single shock. In oth er cases, the induction region extends across several shocks and the d etonation structure is much more complex. These simulations also confi rm that the detonations on the projectile are stable in a wide range o f flow conditions and, therefore, can be used to generate the high pre ssure needed for projectile propulsion. Copyright (C) 1997 by The Comb ustion Institute