Dynamic behavior and jet load of vapor bubbles driven by spherical shock waves

The dynamic behavior and loading characteristics of cavitation bubbles are predominantly determined by the system's input load and boundary conditions. This study employs numerical simulations to examine the response of a bubble driven by a spherical shock wave under varying boundary conditions, with a particular focus on the impact of the shock wave on bubble collapse. The findings reveal that boundary conditions critically influence bubble evolution and collapse-induced loading. Specifically, the reflection and transmission at the boundary surfaces substantially modify the bubble's dynamics. In the vicinity of an elastoplastic thin wall, the bubble's behavior and loading characteristics approximate those observed in a free-field environment, as the thin wall partially absorbs and transmits part of the impact energy, thereby attenuating the reflected shock wave. This attenuation primarily affects bubble evolution through the reflected wave and the Bjerknes effect. Moreover, a linear relationship is identified between the strength of the input shock wave and the peak collapse load, with the collapse load at varying distances exhibiting a strong linear correlation with distance. These results underscore the potential for controlling bubble collapse loads by modulating shock wave strength, offering a theoretical framework for understanding bubble dynamics under diverse boundary conditions and practical insights for cavitation protection and application strategies.