This unique and encyclopedic reference work describes the evolution of the physics of modern shock wave and detonation from the earlier and classical percussion. The history of this complex process is first reviewed in a general survey. Subsequently, the subject is treated in more detail and the book is richly illustrated in the form of a picture gallery. This book is ideal for everyone professionally interested in shock wave phenomena.

Hydronamics of Explosion presents the research results for the problems of underwater explosions and contains a detailed analysis of the structure and the parameters of the wave fields generated by explosions of cord and spiral charges, a description of the formation mechanisms for a wide range of cumulative flows at underwater explosions near the free surface, and the relevant mathematical models. Shock-wave transformation in bubbly liquids, shock-wave amplification due to collision and focusing, and the formation of bubble detonation waves in reactive bubbly liquids are studied in detail. Particular emphasis is placed on the investigation of wave processes in cavitating liquids, which incorporates the concepts of the strength of real liquids containing natural microinhomogeneities, the relaxation of tensile stress, and the cavitation fracture of a liquid as the inversion of its two-phase state under impulsive (explosive) loading. The problems are classed among essentially nonlinear processes that occur under shock loading of liquids and may be of interest to researchers in physical acoustics, mechanics of multiphase media, shock-wave processes in condensed media, explosive hydroacoustics, and cumulation.

The problem of external forces and problems involving the action of an explosion on a structure are investigated. These problems are of interest to engineers, designers, and scientific workers. The following 4 studies were made: 1. General Laws Governing the Propagation of Shock Waves, 2. Explosion in an Unbounded Medium, 3. Simplest Boundary Problems of Explosion Theory, and 4. Principal Aspects of the Problem of External Forces in the Case of Aerial and Underwater Explosions. (Author).

Research has recently been conducted on the use of large buried chemical explosive charges for engineering excavation. Investigations in this area were initially concerned with crater formation in relatively homogeneous rock media, a process which is now well understood. However, it has become apparent that the greatest cost and operational advantages may be realized by applying the technique to rock excavation in an underwater environment. Cratering dynamics in an underwater (two-layer) configuration have not been well understood. Small-scale modeling tests and large-scale excavation projects have revealed two new factors which significantly influence underwater cratering processes: (1) early-time dynamic effects caused by the presence of the rock-water interface and water layer; and (2) very late-time water washback and slope failure effects in the crater vicinity. The report addresses the first of these two effects by means of hydrodynamic computer calculations.