An experimental study and a numerical simulation were conductedto investigate the mechanical and thermodynamic processes involved in the inter-action between shock waves and low density foam. The experiment was done in astainless shock tube (80 mm in inner diameter, 10 mm in wall thickness and 5 360 mmin length). The velocities of the incident and reflected compression waves in the foamwere measured by using piezo-ceramic pressure sensors. The end-wall peak pressurebehind the reflected wave in the foam was measured by using a crystal piezoelectricsensor. It is suggested that the high end-wall pressure may be caused by a rapidcontact between the foam and the end-wall surface. Both open-cell and closed-cellfoams with different length and density were tested. Through comparing the numer-ical and experimental end-wall pressure, the permeability coefficients α and β arequantitatively determined. An experimental study and a numerical simulation were conducted to investigate the mechanical and thermodynamic processes involved in the inter-action between shock waves and low density foam. The experiment was done in astainless shock tube (80 mm in inner diameter, 10 mm in wall thickness and 5 360 mmin length). The velocities of the incident and reflected compression waves in the foamwere measured by using piezo-ceramic pressure sensors. The end-wall peak pressure behind the reflected wave in the foam was measured by using a crystal piezoelectric sensor. It is suggested that the high end-wall pressure may be caused by a rapid contact between the foam and the end-wall surface. Both comparing open-cell and closed-cellfoams with the same length and density were tested. pressure, the permeability coefficient α and β arequantitatively determined.