Triple–Shock–Wave Configurations: Comparison of Different Thermodynamic Models for Diatomic Gases

Triple-shock-wave configurations (TC) were experimentally reported by E. Mach in 1878 [1]. The first detailed experimental and theoretical investigation of the TC was fulfilled by J. von Neumann in 1943 [2]. In the theoretical description of the TC in the von Neumann article [2] (known as the three-shock theory) gas was supposed thermally and calorically perfect. The three-shock theory is based on the Euler equations in the integral form, and expresses all non-dimensional TC parameters through the two basic ones: the initial flow Mach number

M

and either the incident shock intensity

J

1

or its inclination angle

σ

e

1

[3]. In [4] the problem of a moving shock wave reflection from a plane wedge with a TC formation in real gases (nitrogen, air and oxygen) was considered.