Evolution of weak shock waves in dense media

Relations describing the evolution of a weak shock wave (SW) in a dense medium with account of its attenuation and spreading are derived. The evolution is presented as a result of superposition of two processes: propagation of a stepped weak shock wave and pursuit of the shock by a rarefaction wave.Moscow. Translated from Fizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 139–143, March–April, 1995.