Stationary Mach Configurations with Pulsed Energy Release on the Normal Shock

We obtained a theoretical analysis of stationary Mach configurations of shock waves with a pulsed energy release at the main (normal) shock and a corresponding change in gas thermodynamic properties. As formation of the stationary Mach configuration corresponds to one of two basic, well-known criteria of regular/Mach shock reflection transition, we studied here how the possibility of pulsed energy release at the normal Mach stem shifts the von Neumann criterion, and how it correlates then with another transition criterion (the detachment one). The influence of a decrease in the “equilibrium” gas adiabatic index at the main shock on a shift of the solution domain was also investigated analytically and numerically. Using a standard detonation model for a normal shock in stationary Mach configuration, and ordinary Hugoniot relations for other oblique shocks, we estimated influence of pulsed energy release and real gas effects (expressed by decrease of gas adiabatic index) on shift of von Neumann criterion, and derived some analytical relations that describe those dependencies.

Three-dimensional shock wave reflection transition in steady flow

Three-dimensional shock wave reflection comprises flow physics that is significantly different from the well-documented two-dimensional cases in a number of aspects. The most important differentiating factor is the sweep of the shock system. In particular, this work examines the nature of flow fields in which there is a transition of shock reflection configuration in three-dimensional space. The flow fields investigated have been made to exist in the absence of edge effects influencing the shock interaction and transition, as found previously to exist in conventional double-wedge studies. In general, the shock configurations are those with central regular and peripheral Mach reflection portions. It is shown that the sweep angle of the portions on either side of the transition point is subject to a cusp, as per an analytical model that is developed. This is confirmed with the use of numerical models with additional evidence provided by experimental results using oblique shadow photography. Further application of the principles of three-dimensional shock analysis and those pertaining to the sweep cusp model yield important insights regarding the overall shock geometry and that at transition.

Time history of regular to Mach reflection transition in steady supersonic flow

In this paper, we study the transition from regular to Mach reflection (RR → MR) in the dual solution domain due to the influence of an upstream disturbance, by considering the transition as an evolutionary rather than an abrupt process. From numerical simulation, we observe for the early stage of transition a multiple interaction structure, composed of a triple-shock structure, a type VI shock interaction and a shock/slipline interaction. In the end, we observe a pure unsteady MR structure. Under self-similar assumption of the triple point for the first stage and including additional Mach waves over the slipline for the last stage, we develop an idealized unsteady model to obtain the evolution of the Mach stem height and the time taken for the Mach stem to stabilize. The triple point is found to move at a nearly constant speed in the multiple interaction stage which occupies about one quarter of the transition time. In the pure unsteady MR stage, which occupies the rest of transition, the speed of the triple point drops nonlinearly until the Mach stem stabilizes.