Abstract: The vented external flow field was visualized using the experimental and numerical methods. The YA-16 high speed shadowgraph system was adopted in test to obtain the consequential clear shadowgraphs of the external flow field. And the explosion venting was simulated by the colocated grid SIMPLE scheme, based on the K- turbulence model and eddy dissipation combustion model. Based on the numerical results, the computational shadowgraphs were obtained through computational flow imagines (CFI). Comparisons of the computational shadowgraphs to the experimental shadowgraphs showed good agreement in trend. Both the experimental and the computational shadowgraphs visually demonstrated the development of the turbulent flame and the formation and development of the secondary explosion during venting.