Towards Detonation Theory

Abstract
Experimental findings inconsistent with both the CJ and the ZND detonation theories are discussed. These are the unstable detonation and the weak dependence on charge diameter of liquid explosives detonation velocity at sizable value of their failure diameter. The investigations have resulted in the discovery and introduction into detonation theory of two new theoretical notions : chemical reaction breakdown (BD) and shock discontinuity zone (SDZ). It is shown that the BD governs the limits of the following phenomena : the shock-to-detonation transition, the detonation stability, and the detonation failure diameter, whereas the SDZ governs the regularities of EMs change at detonation.