THE INTERACTION OF A REFLECTED SHOCK WITH THE CONTACT SURFACE AND BOUNDARY LAYER IN A SHOCK TUBE

Abstract

The experiment was designed to investigate the departures of the hypersonic shock tunnel operated by the reflected-shock technique from the simple theoretical model, by providing photographs illustrating the interaction of the reflected shock with the boundary layer and with the contact region. Results were obtained for representative values of primary shock Mach number, using hydrogen as the driving gas and nitrogen as the driven gas. The work demonstrates that there are striking differences between the observed flows and those assumed in inviscid theory, and that there are associated discrepancies with the predictions of the theory. These are particularly marked in connection with the disturbances reflected from the contact surface, and with the motion of the shock transmitted through the contact surface when the primary shock Mach number is high. On the other hand, the motion of the contact surface, after meeting the reflected shock, is in reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions. As far as the operation of shock tunnels is concerned, the results are not discouraging, especially at the tailored condition where there appears to be reasonable agreement with the promising predictions of theory. It is noted, however, that, because of the low pressure levels employed, the present results are in some respects dissimilar to those observed in other shock-tunnel investigations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 19, 1961
Accession Number
AD0273535

Entities

People

  • C. M. Stuart
  • D. W. Holder
  • R. J. North

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Boundaries
  • Boundary Layer
  • Boundary Layer Flow
  • Flow
  • Hydrogen
  • Inviscid Flow
  • Layers
  • Light Sources
  • Mach Number
  • Nitrogen
  • Photographs
  • Pressure Measurement
  • Shock Tubes
  • Shock Tunnels
  • Tubes
  • Turbulent Flow

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Hypersonics
  • Hypersonics - Hypersonic Boundary Layers
  • Hypersonics - Hypersonic Flow