A Review of the Development of Shock Tubes for Simulating Blast Waves

Understanding the dynamics of explosions and shock waves is critical for developing shock wave protection measures. A shock tube is a pressure-generating device used to simulate blast shock waves. Two strategies are currently used to simulate blast shock waves: explosion-driven and high-pressure gas-driven operations. The high-pressure and atmospheric pressure sections are separated by a diaphragm, when the diaphragm ruptures instantaneously, a surge is generated at the diaphragm. However, the pulse waveform generated by a conventional shock tube does not match the typical blast shock waveform. Since the 1950s, scholars in different countries have simulated blast shock waves using the modified shock wave tube to address problems. Series of shock tubes have been designed and developed since the 20th century with different sizes and shapes. According to the published literature, the U.S. has built the largest variety of shock tube devices with the most functionality to simulate different blast impacts. Other countries, including India, France, Canada, and the UK, et al have also developed shock tubes for simulating different explosion scenarios. Most Chinese high-pressure air-powered shock tubes were developed in the 1980s. Researchers have designed large, medium, and small (micro) bio-shock tubes for impact injury research and specific conditions. This article reviews the principles of shock tube simulations of blast shock waves, summarizes the performance parameters and functional structures of different shock tubes in China and abroad, and assesses the development direction of shock tube devices.