The objective of the research outlined in this paper was to provide new experimental and computational data on initiation, propagation, and stability of gaseous stoichiometric propane-air detonations in tubes with U-bends. Extensive experimental and computational studies with the tube 51 mm in diameter with U-bends of two curvatures and two different shock-wave generators were performed. Numerical simulations of the process were used to reveal the salient features of the accompanying phenomena. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.