Drag of nonspherical particles in a flow behind a shock wave

The early stage of velocity relaxation of nonspherical particles in a flow behind an incident shock wave is considered by the method of multiframe shadowgraphy. A procedure of processing the data on the motion of a free body for determining its acceleration is proposed; in combination with the diagnostic method used, the procedure forms something like a noncontact aerodynamic balance. Novel data on the drag of bodies of irregular shape in a flow behind a shock wave with Mach numbers of 0.5–1.5 and Reynolds numbers of ≈105 typical of dust explosions are obtained. It is found that the values of drag of a nonspherical bluff body and a sphere under these conditions are similar and exceed the drag of a sphere in a steady flow by a factor of 2 to 3.