This study aims to a better understanding of the performance of a shock tube used to produce blast loading in controlled laboratory environments. Special focus is placed on the influence of the diaphragm failure process on the blast wave formation in the tube. Experimental observations are supported by numerical simulations in an attempt to obtain more insight into the underlying phenomena. It was found that the diaphragm failure process introduces a multi-dimensional flow field downstream the diaphragms. This is observed as a loss of directional energy in the distant flow field and therefore affects the reflected overpressure on blast-loaded plates located at the rear end of the tube. These findings provide important insight into how such a facility works, especially if the dynamic response of flexible plates is of interest.