Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 March 2006
Sound waves of finite but small amplitude propagating into a quasi-steady, supersonic flow in a non-uniform duct are analyzed by means of a perturbation method. General properties of the flow and of the wave propagation are studied using a one-dimensional approximation. A shock propagation law in the unsteady flow is obtained. As an example, the formation and development of shock waves are discussed for a duct with a conical convergence. Comparisons of the theory with an experiment are also made; fairly good agreement is found.