Calculation of the supersonic flow past blunt bodies using the complete and simplified Navier-Stokes equations

Abstract

THE supersonic flow of a viscous gas past a spherically blunted body is studied using the complete Navier-Stokes equations, equations containing only terms of order O(1) and O( 1 √Re ) , and equations containing only terms of order O(1). The departed shock wave, which is regarded as a surface of discontinuity, is assumed to be external boundary of the flow region. The solution is found by the build-up method using an implicit finite-difference scheme. An analysis of the results obtained and a comparison with the results of calculations using the theory of non-viscous flows and of the boundary layer enable us to establish the range of applicability of the various simplified equations used at the present time for calculating the supersonic flow of a viscous gas past blunt bodies.