Dynamic effects on the transition between two-dimensional regular and Mach reflection of shock waves in an ideal, steady supersonic free stream

Abstract

There have been numerous studies on the steady-state transition criteria between regular and Mach reflection of shock waves generated by a stationary, two-dimensional wedge in a steady supersonic flow, since the original shock-wave reflection research by Ernst Mach in 1878. The steady, two-dimensional transition criteria between regular and Mach reflection are well established. There has been little done to consider the dynamic effect of a rapidly rotating wedge on the transition between regular and Mach reflection. This paper presents the results of an investigation on the effect of rapid wedge rotation on regular to Mach reflection transition in the weak- and strong-reflection ranges with the aid of experiment and computational fluid dynamics. The experimental set-up includes a novel facility to rotate a pair of large aspect ratio wedges in a 450 mm × 450 mm supersonic wind tunnel at wedge rotation speeds up to 11000 deg s−1. High-speed images and measurements are presented. A numerical solution of the inviscid governing flow equations was used to mimic the experimental motion and to extend the investigation beyond the limits of the current facility to explore the influence of variables in the parameter space. There is good agreement between experimental measurements and numerical simulation. This paper includes the first experimental evidence of the regular to Mach reflection transition beyond the steady-state detachment condition in the weak- and strong-reflection ranges. It also presents results of simulations for the dynamic regular to the Mach reflection transition which show a difference between the sonic, length-scale and detachment conditions. This paper includes experimental evidence of the Mach to regular reflection transition below the steady-state von Neumann condition.