Large eddy simulation of shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interaction under incipient and fully separated conditions

Abstract

Large eddy simulations of shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interaction on a compression ramp at the Mach number M a ∞ = 5 and Reynolds number R e ∞ = 14 000 are performed to investigate the impact of the incipient and fully separated conditions on the development of the flow field. The quasi-dynamic subgrid-scale kinetic energy equation model, which combines the benefits of the gradient model with the eddy-viscosity model, has been applied. Compared with the previous experimental and numerical results, the simulation was validated. The flow structures, turbulence properties, vortex structures, and low-frequency unsteadiness are all investigated. The flow field of the incipient separation is attached and rarely impacted by shock. An evident separation bubble and localized high wall temperatures in fully separated flow are caused by the separation shock's significant reverse pressure gradient. The Reynolds stress components exhibit significant amplification in both cases, and the peak outward shifts from the near-wall region to the center of the free shear layer. Turbulent kinetic energy terms were analyzed, and the two scenarios show a significant difference. The power spectral density of the wall pressure fluctuations shows that the low-frequency motion of the incipient separation is not apparent relative to the fully separated flow.