Mechanical Engineering ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-28-2026

Abstract

Reshocks can pose a threat to the structural integrity of structures and buildings. While incident shock waves pose larger threats, the study of reshocks and reshock attenuation is important to consider. This thesis investigates methods for controlling and attenuating reshock strength within a shock tube through material-based damping and modifications to baffle box geometric configurations. Experiments are performed using a custom-built shock tube in the University of New Mexico fluid mechanics laboratory. Four baffle box configurations are examined: a foam-lined configuration, a foam-lined configuration with ”egg crate-like” textured foam, an empty (no foam) configuration, and a configuration which incorporates a filleted fin structure. Shock waves are generated at Mach numbers of 1.20, 1.45, and 1.70 using nitrogen as the driver gas. Pressure transducers are lined atop the shock tube to measure and record incident and reflected pressure data. A capped test section configuration is used to establish a baseline for comparison. Theoretical background based on the compressible Euler equations and Rankine–Hugoniot jump conditions is presented to describe reshock behavior. These equations and assumptions can be utilized to calculate the final Mach number of the reflected shock using the collected pressure data. The results of this thesis are intended to determine the effectiveness of material and geometric approaches for reshock suppression.

Keywords

Reshock, Suppression, Shockwave, Attenuation, Shocktube, Baffle Box

Degree Name

Mechanical Engineering

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Mechanical Engineering

First Committee Member (Chair)

Peter Vorobieff

Second Committee Member

Svetlana Poroseva

Third Committee Member

Nima Fathi

Document Type

Thesis

Language

English

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