Numerical solution of the problem of wave diffraction by a wedge

Abstract

The systematic development of the theory of shock reflection from a solid wall started in [1]. Regular reflection and a three-shock configuration originating in Mach reflection were considered there under the assumption of homogeneity of the domains between the discontinuities and, therefore, of rectilinearity of these latter. The difficulties of the theoretical study include the essential nonlinearity of the process as well as the instability of the tangential discontinuity originating during Mach reflection. Analytic solutions of the problem in a linear formulation are known for a small wedge angle or a weak wave (see [2–4], for example). The solution in a nonlinear formulation has been carried out numerically in [5, 6] for arbitrary wedge angles and wave intensities. Since the wave was nonstationary, the internal flow configuration is difficult to clarify by means of the constant pressure and density curves presented. A formulation of the problem for the complete system of gasdynamics equations in self-similar variables is given in [7] and a method of solution is proposed but no results are presented. Difficulties with the instability of the contact discontinuity are noted. The problem formulation in this paper is analogous to that proposed in [7]. However, a method of straight-through computation without extraction of the compression shocks in the flow field is selected to compute the discontinuous flows. The shocks and contact discontinuities in such a case are domains with abrupt changes in the gasdynamics parameters. The computations were carried out for a broad range of interaction angles and shock intensities. The results obtained are in good agreement with the analytical solutions and experimental results. Information about the additional rise in reflection pressure after the Mach foot has been obtained during the solution.