Pressure distribution and mass injection effects in the transitional separated flow over a spiked body at supersonic speed

Abstract

Pressure distribution and the effect of air injection in the separated flow over a spiked-hemisphere were investigated at a Mach number of 3·3, and Reynolds number around the transitional value. Pressure distribution along the spike as well as over the body was measured in the absence of injection. Air was injected into the separated flow at the spike tip and base and reattachment region through one or more orifices drilled normal to the surface, and the resulting flow patterns were observed using the schlieren technique. The results show that (i) the pressure variation along the spike is similar to a two-dimensional separated flow in the transition régime; and (ii) the mass injection at the spike tip has a strong destabilizing effect regardless of injection rate, while the injection from spike base and reattachment region can be either slightly stabilizing or destabilizing depending on the flow condition.