Non-equilibrium hypersonic flow simulations using the second-order boundary layer equations

Abstract

Abstract A coupled Euler/boundary layer method to calculate hypersonic re-entry flows in chemical non-equilibrium is described. The flow is divided into two regions, with the second-order boundary layer equations being applied in the inner (viscous) region and the Euler equations in the outer (inviscid) region. It is shown that this allows a good matching of the calculated profiles at the interface between the two regions. The inclusion of second-order effects is shown not only to modify significantly the calculated boundary layer profiles, but also to have a large influence on the computed surface coefficients.