Shock Wave Boundary Layer Interaction Research Articles

Low-frequency unsteadiness in hypersonic swept shock wave-boundary layer interactions

Low-frequency unsteadiness in hypersonic swept shock wave-boundary layer interactions

Computational analysis of the scramjet mode of the RBCC inlet using micro vortex generators

Abstract A computational study of a three ramped dual duct Rocket Based Combined Cycle (RBCC) engine inlet at scramjet mode using different types of MVG (micro vortex generator) arrays were conducted. The definite geometry of engine inlet was operated at hypersonic speeds of Mach 5 and 7 to study the effect of the arrays of delta ramp (DR), rectangular vane (RRV) and ramp vane (RV) on the pressure recovery, exit Mach number, the mass flow rate and Shock wave Boundary Layer interaction (SWBLI). The study was performed considering same heights for all the configurations of MVG array and were positioned at the point of shock impingement on the ramp which caused the separation bubble. The computational analysis was done using k-omega model in Fluent Workbench of Ansys.

Numerical study of shock wave boundary layer interaction flows using a novel turbulence model

This study proposes a novel partial average fluctuation velocity (PAFV) turbulence based on the PAFV and the average strain rate tensor, which is used to calculate the shock wave boundary layer interaction flows, including cascade flow and transonic compressor flow. In order to illustrate the adequacy, the calculation results of several other turbulence models were also compared with PAFV, including k-ω, shear stress transport, SA-neg (negative Spalart-Allmaras), and stress-BSL (ω-based Reynolds stress model). The suitability of the PAFV turbulence model was initially tested by calculating the transonic flow in the L030-4 cascade. Subsequently, numerical computations were performed for the 3D (three-dimensional) National Aeronautics and Space Administration Rotor 67 transonic compressor rotor. In the numerical simulation, the flow control equations were transformed in a general curvilinear coordinate system for precision enhancement, and the spatial discretization of control equations was executed using the finite difference method. The convection term was processed using the Steger–Warming flux vector splitting method, the diffusion term was discretized using a second-order central difference scheme, and the time derivative term was discretized using the third-order Runge–Kutta method. A parallel computing strategy with multi-block partitioning was employed to speed up the calculations and facilitate faster convergence alongside a local time step method. All numerical computation procedures were written in Python, revealing the following: (1) The PAFV turbulence model aptly simulates the transonic flow within the cascade channel. The shock wave pattern in the cascade channel aligns well with the experimental schlieren images. (2) During the Rotor 67 transonic compressor rotor calculation, the flow–pressure ratio, flow efficiency, and inlet and outlet total temperatures and pressures align well with the experimental data. Furthermore, the resolution of the flow field structure related to the interaction between the tip leakage vortex and channel shock wave is high. (3) The turbulence model uses PAFV as the turbulence velocity scale, thereby suppressing the fluctuation velocity and turbulence viscosity near shock wave areas, preventing excessive turbulence viscosity. Moreover, PAFV inherently exhibits transport properties and anisotropic characteristics, making it well-suited for handling transonic compressor flows.

Transonic buffet simulation using a partially-averaged Navier-Stokes approach

The present article assesses the capability of the partially averaged Navier-Stokes (PANS) method to reproduce accurately the self-sustained shock oscillations, also known as transonic buffet, occurring on airfoils and wings at transonic regime under certain conditions of Mach number and angle of attack. The test case under analysis is an OAT15A unswept wing at Mach number M∞=0.73 and Reynolds number Rec=3×106. The three-dimensional flow is studied by accounting for the wind tunnel walls adopted in the experiments of Jacquin et al. [1] in the simulations. The computations on a large-span, confined configuration reveal a strong three-dimensionality of the flow both before and after the buffet onset. Attention is paid to the comparison with unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes (URANS) results, to show the benefits of PANS in resolving flow unsteadiness at different flow resolutions, especially on affordable CFD grids, at limited additional cost. In this context, the role of the mesh metrics and the local turbulence level in the formulation of the model is described, as well as the relation of this latter with the spatiotemporal discretization used for the numerical simulations. The aim is to extend the use of PANS and obtain accurate predictions of flow cases involving shock-wave boundary layer interactions without expensive approaches.

The Use of Spatially Multi-Component Plasma Structures and Combined Energy Deposition for High-Speed Flow Control: A Selective Review

This review examines studies aimed at the organization of energy (non-mechanical) control of high-speed flow/flight using spatially multi-component plasma structures and combined energy deposition. The review covers selected works on the experimental acquisition and numerical modeling of multi-component plasma structures and the use of sets of actuators based on plasma of such a spatial type for the purposes of control of shock wave/bow shock wave–energy source interaction, as well as control of shock wave–boundary layer interaction. A series of works on repetitive multiple laser pulse plasma structures is also analyzed from the point of view of examining shock wave/bow shock wave–boundary layer interaction. Self-sustained theoretical models for laser dual-pulse, multi-mode laser pulses, and self-sustained glow discharge are also considered. Separate sections are devoted to high-speed flow control using combined physical phenomena and numerical prediction of flow control possibilities using thermal longitudinally layered plasma structures. The wide possibilities for organization and applying spatially multi-component structured plasma for the purposes of high-speed flow control are demonstrated.

Experimental study on the heat flux of transitional shock wave–boundary layer interaction at Mach 6

The shock wave–boundary layer interaction (SWBLI) phenomenon was investigated experimentally to explore the heat flux distribution characteristics of SWBLIs under different boundary layer flow regimes and the influence/mechanism of different transition positions on peak heat flux of SWBLI. Experiments were conducted in a flow of Mach number 6. The shock generator deflected the flow by 20 °, 22 °, 25 ° and 30 ° resulting in an oblique shock impinging on a flat plate. The rough elements with different heights were arranged to achieve different transition positions. The influence of the relative position of transition and interference zone on the peak heat flux and its physical mechanism are revealed. The results demonstrated that the transitional SWBLI has a higher peak heat flux than the turbulent SWBLI, however the overshoot phenomenon is not reflected in the peak pressure. The increment of heat flux peak in transitional SWBLI is related to the relative positions of transition and interference zones. The increment of heat flux peak of transitional SWBLI compared to turbulent SWBLI can reach 25.5–38.9% and 51.9–65.1% when transition approaches the separation zone and reattachment zone, respectively. This overshoot phenomenon is caused by the streamwise vortex in transitional and so-called laminar SWBLIs, which enhances the energy exchange in the boundary layer and leads to an increase in heat flux. However, in the turbulent SWBLI, the energy mixing in the boundary layer is not significantly enhanced due to the breakup of the large scale streamwise vortex into turbulent small-scale structure.

Effects of Perforated Plates on Shock Structure Alteration for NACA0012 Airfoils

This research investigated a passive flow control technique to mitigate the adverse effects of shock wave–boundary layer interaction on a NACA 0012 airfoil. A perforated plate with a strategically positioned cavity beneath the shock wave anchoring spot was employed. Airfoils with perforated plates of varying orifice sizes (ranging from 0.5 to 1.2 mm) were constructed using various manufacturing techniques. Experimental analysis utilized an “Eiffel”-type open wind tunnel and a Z-type Schlieren system for flow visualization, along with static pressure measurements obtained from the bottom wall. Empirical observations were compared with steady 3D density-based numerical simulations conducted in Ansys FLUENT for comprehensive analysis and validation. The implementation of the perforated plate induced a significant alteration in shock structure, transforming it from a strong normal shock wave into a large lambda-type shock. The passive control case exhibited a 0.2% improvement in total pressure loss and attributed to the perforated plate’s capability to diminish the intensity of the shock wave anchored above. Significant fluctuations in shear stress were introduced by the perforated plate, with lower stress observed in the plate area due to flow detachment from cavity blowing. Balancing shock and viscous losses proved crucial for achieving a favorable outcome with this passive flow control method.

Effect of Leading-Edge Bluntness on Shockwave–Boundary-Layer Interaction in a Scramjet Intake

An experimental and numerical study was carried out to investigate the effect of leading edge bluntness on the flowfield characteristics of a Mach 6 scramjet inlet. The numerical study was performed using Ansys Fluent 18.0 software. A steady two-dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes simulation was carried out using k-ε-Re-Normalisation Group model for a sharp edge and leading edge with bluntness of 0.5 and 1 mm (ramp and cowl tip). Significant changes in the flowfield characteristics and parameters were observed for a blunt leading edge compared to the sharp leading edge case. The experimental campaign was carried out in the Mach 6 S1 Hypersonic Ludwieg Tunnel to validate the numerical results, and a good match was observed up to the separation bubble, and deviation in the reattachment is observed. Furthermore, the unsteadiness associated with the shockwave–boundary-layer interaction region inside the isolator was studied for the sharp and blunt leading edge cases. It was observed that changing the leading edge bluntness modifies the flowfield oscillations, separation bubbles, shear layer oscillations, etc.

On the investigation of shock wave/boundary layer interaction with a high-order scheme based on lattice Boltzmann flux solver

Shock wave/boundary layer interaction (SWBLI) continues to pose a significant challenge in the field of aerospace engineering. This paper aims to address this issue by proposing a novel approach for predicting aerodynamic coefficients and heat transfer in viscous supersonic and hypersonic flows using a high-order flux reconstruction technique. Currently, finite volume methods are extensively employed for the computation of skin aerodynamic coefficients and heat transfer. Nevertheless, these numerical methods exhibit considerable susceptibility to a range of factors, including the inviscid flux function and the computational mesh. The application of high-order flux reconstruction techniques offers promising potential in alleviating these challenges. In contrast to other high-order methods, the flux reconstruction is combined with the lattice Boltzmann flux solver in this study. The current method evaluates the common inviscid flux at the cell interface by locally reconstructing the lattice Boltzmann equation solution from macroscopic flow variables at solution points. Consequently, this framework performs a positivity-preserving, entropy-based adaptive filtering method for shock capturing. The present approach is validated by simulating the double Mach reflection, and then simulating some typical viscous problems. The results demonstrate that the current method accurately predicts aerodynamic coefficients and heat transfer, providing valuable insights into the application of high-order methods for shock wave/boundary layer interaction.

On the shock wave boundary layer interaction in slightly rarefied gas

The shock wave and boundary layer interaction (SWBLI) plays an important role in the design of hypersonic vehicles. However, discrepancies between the numerical results of high-temperature gas dynamics and experiment data have not been fully addressed. It is believed that the rarefaction effects are important in SWBLI, but the systematic analysis of the temperature-jump boundary conditions and the role of translational/rotational/vibrational heat conductivities are lacking. In this paper, we derive the three-temperature Navier–Stokes–Fourier (NSF) equations from the gas kinetic theory, with special attention paid to the components of heat conductivity. With proper temperature-jump boundary conditions, we simulate the SWBLI in the double cone experiment. Our numerical results show that, when the three heat conductivities are properly recovered, the NSF equations can capture the position and peak value of the surface heat flux, in both low- and high-enthalpy inflow conditions. Moreover, the separation bubble induced by the separated shock and the reattachment point induced by impact between transmitted shock and boundary layer are found to agree with the experimental measurement.

A deep learning super-resolution model for turbulent image upscaling and its application to shock wave–boundary layer interaction

Upscaling flow features from coarse-grained data is paramount for extensively utilizing computational physics methods across complex flow, acoustics, and aeroelastic environments where direct numerical simulations are computationally expensive. This study presents a deep learning flow image model for upscaling turbulent flow images from coarse-grained simulation data of supersonic shock wave–turbulent boundary layer interaction. It is shown for the first time that super-resolution can be achieved using only the coarsest-grained data as long as the deep learning training is performed using hundreds of fine-grained data. The unsteady pressure data are used in training due to their importance in aeroelasticity and acoustic fatigue occurring on aerospace structures. The effect on the number of images and their resolution features used in training, validation, and prediction is investigated regarding the model accuracy obtained. It is shown that the deep learning super-resolution model provides accurate spectra results, thus confirming the approach's effectiveness.

Shock-Induced Separation and Control in a 4.32-Aspect-Ratio Test Section

Experimental test sections studying shock-wave–boundary-layer interactions are usually right-angled by design to replicate the supersonic engine inlets where these interactions are observed. To avoid flow separation and shock effects on the side walls, investigations are typically performed on the centerline of the test section. However, the centerlines of small-aspect-ratio test sections can be significantly affected by the flow structures generated in the corners. Results using a large-aspect-ratio test section at a freestream Mach number of 1.6 include centerline and corner flow separation topologies, schlieren images of shock structures, total pressure profiles, and surface static pressures throughout the interaction region. These results provide evidence that the large-aspect-ratio test section can produce a large area of centerline flow that is unaffected by the separation and shock structures generated in the corners, which is a significant improvement over most of the smaller-aspect-ratio test sections employed for these types of studies. Microvortex generators are also employed upstream of the interaction, and measurements indicate a five-vortex system that energizes the near-wall boundary layer enough to overcome the shock’s adverse pressure gradient while remaining attached.

Effects of herringbone riblets on shock-wave/turbulent boundary-layer interactions

In the experiment reported in this paper, a spanwise array of herringbone riblets strips is applied upstream of the interaction region between an impinging shockwave and a turbulent boundary layer developing along a flat plate boundary layer at a freestream Mach number of 1.85. High-speed schlieren photography, surface oil flow visualization and PSP are used to examine the effect of herringbone riblets on the characteristics of the shockwave-boundary layer interactions. It shows that despite that the height of the riblets is less than 2 % of the local thickness of the undisturbed boundary layer, a profound modification to the shockwave-boundary layer interaction zone is observed, and the overall size of the separation bubble is decreased. The observed control effects are attributed to the large-scale secondary flow structures produced by the directional riblets. To the best knowledge of the author, this is the first study evaluating the control effect of herringbone riblets on shock wave and turbulent boundary layer interactions in supersonic flow using the experimental method.

Aerodynamic Characterization of a Generic High-Speed Projectile Configuration

A combined experimental and numerical study was conducted on a generic projectile configuration with low-aspect-ratio fins. The main objectives of this study were to characterize the aerodynamic behavior and validate numerical simulations for a range of Mach numbers (0.4–4) to facilitate an understanding of major flow features such as forebody and fin-generated shock waves, crossflow shear layer vortex, and fin vortex interactions. Measurements included forces and moments, surface oil flow visualization, and high-speed shadowgraph imaging. Numerical simulations were performed using the CFD++ solver. The results showed an excellent match between the experimental and numerical force and moment data. Pressure contours obtained using numerical simulations were integrated to obtain the contributions of individual components toward the total normal force on the body. Flow visualization results show a few complex and interesting flow features, such as shear layer roll-up, crossflow and fin tip vortex interactions, and shock-wave–boundary-layer interactions. The effects of vortex strength and location were analyzed to determine their contributions to the overall forces on the model. The database generated will be very useful for further validation of the numerical tool and a better understanding of vortex-dominated supersonic flows.

Flow fields around asymmetrical micro vortex generators in supersonic flow

Motivated by the favorable effects of asymmetrical vortical structures on shock-wave boundary layer interactions, we performed implicit large-eddy simulations to analyze the ability of micro mechanical vortex generators (VGs) to generate such structures. For this purpose, we studied modified VG geometries, by skewing and varying the orientation of a microramp and introducing pairs of unevenly sized ramped-vanes. The modified VGs allow to study the effectiveness of these devices when operating in off-design conditions. The flow physics of all devices were investigated in a supersonic crossflow at Mach 2.5 and a momentum-thickness Reynolds number of 7000. The flow topology around each VG is very similar: the VG acts as an obstacle to the incoming flow and induces a complex system of shocks, recirculation regions, and vortical structures. We present a detailed study of the evolution of the dominant major counter-rotating vortex pair (CVP) to estimate the VGs' flow-control effectiveness. All modified configurations introduce asymmetry into the flow, yet to varying degree for different device types. The modifications made to the microramp have minimal impact on the boundary layer, while the uneven ramped-vane configurations have significant effect. Lateral spread of mechanical VG induced major CVP is not larger than the spanwise dimension of the VG. Consequently, the favorable effect of interactions between VGs arranged in arrays on flow-control effectiveness observed for air-jet VG arrays cannot be reproduced with mechanical VGs. Considering the large design offsets we introduced to the microramp and ramped-vane configurations, both device types are robust to off-design flight conditions.

Experimental and Numerical Investigations of Shock-Wave Boundary Layer Interactions in a Highly Loaded Transonic Compressor Cascade

Experimental and Numerical Investigations of Shock-Wave Boundary Layer Interactions in a Highly Loaded Transonic Compressor Cascade

Surface Properties of Double-Fin Generated Shock-Wave/Boundary-Layer Interactions

Shock-Wave/Boundary-Layer Interaction (SBLI) is ubiquitous in high-speed air vehicles. SBLI surface flowfield properties of crossing shocks induced by symmetric Double-Fins (DFs) at fin angles of 8° and 10° at Mach 2 are experimentally investigated; a 10° Single-Fin (SF) is also explored as a comparison. Surface visualization is used to capture distinct flowfield structures such as separation and upstream influence. Steady and unsteady Pressure-Sensitive Paints (PSPs) are used to obtain global surface pressure fields. Characteristics of DF-SBLI surface topology are discussed by comparing the corresponding SF-SBLI. The effect of fin angle on DF-SBLI is characterized, and unsteady dynamics of the pressure field are examined. Spectral Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (SPOD) is performed on unsteady PSP, and traveling surface pressure waves and their frequency-dependent behavior are discussed. Dispersion relation of surface pressure waves is revealed by performing two-dimensional space–time Fourier transform on unsteady PSP, and the results are compared with the phase velocity distributions obtained from SPOD. Accompanying group velocity behavior is examined for distinct SBLI regions wherein wave propagation is found dependent on its frequency. Steady surface pressures along the centerline are compared with previous experimental data. Fin-tip spacing is found to be an essential parameter for scaling of upstream influence length.

Impinging shear layer instability in over-expanded nozzle dynamics

When rocket engine nozzles operate at a high degree of over-expansion, an internal flow separation occurs with a strong unsteady shock–wave boundary layer interaction. The global dynamics results in a low-frequency mode, which is associated with the shock displacement, and a high-frequency mode, which is correlated with the shear layer–boundary layer interaction. While the mechanism responsible for the low-frequency oscillation is known, the one in charge of the high-frequency unsteadiness is not yet clear. The scope of this paper is to provide a physical explanation for this mechanism. To do that, a delayed detached eddy simulation is used to numerically reproduce the flow in the case of a sub-scale cold-gas truncated ideal contour nozzle. The obtained results are successfully compared to the experiments and confirm the presence of two non-axisymmetric wall pressure signatures at Strouhal numbers St=fDj/Uj≃0.2 and 0.3 with different azimuthal selections. To reveal the origin of such modes, a power spectral density analysis is performed in the separated region. The analysis shows that both modes originate from the external shear layer and behave as “twins” in the separated region. The reason is that both modes are two sides of the same impinging shear layer instability: the acoustic mode propagates with the sound velocity, while the hydrodynamic one propagates with the supersonic shear layer velocity. In this context, the resulting self-sustained dynamics may be due to an acoustic–hydrodynamic feedback loop involving the impinging shear layer instability of the external supersonic shear layer and the separated region.

Numerical investigation of wall-pressure fluctuations for Mach 2 turbulent shock-wave boundary layer interactions

Implicit large-eddy simulations of Mach 2.05 turbulent boundary layer interactions with oblique impinging shock-waves were carried out for shock generator angles of 8° and 9°. Both the streamwise extent of the separated region and the intensity of the velocity fluctuations are augmented when the strength of the impinging oblique shock-wave is increased from 8° to 9°. Temporal Fourier transforms of the spanwise-averaged wall-pressure coefficient indicate low-frequency unsteadiness at separation and mid-frequency content downstream of reattachment. The wall-pressure fluctuations were analyzed with the proper orthogonal decomposition. The modal analysis reveals pronounced 3D low-frequency wall-pressure fluctuations for the stronger interaction. Overall, the present findings provide advanced perspectives on low-frequency wall-pressure fluctuations in turbulent shock-wave boundary layer interactions that may lead to spanwise non-uniformity of the separation and shedding with possible implications for the design of structural panels on high-speed vehicles.

A computational study of leading-edge wall cooling effect on shock wave–boundary layer interaction in forward-facing step

A computational study has been done to understand the effect of leading-edge wall cooling on shock wave–boundary layer interaction. Shock wave–boundary layer interaction is studied over a forward-facing step at supersonic Mach 2.5. The study was carried out using Ansys. The work aims to explore the implementation of wall cooling at the leading edge as a separation control strategy for supersonic forward-facing step-induced flow separation. We use a finite-volume method based on upwind flux difference splitting and second-order upwind flow discretization. The simulation results are validated with the available experimental data. Furthermore, using numerical simulations, we found that the separation bubble size was reduced by 18.36% when the walls were marginally cooled to 150 K, while the separation was reduced by 32.65% when the walls were strongly cooled to 100 K.