Numerical investigation of strong crossing shock-wave/turbulent boundary-layer interactions

Numerical results are reported for very strong fully separated three-dimensional crossing shock-wave/turbulent-boundary-layer interactions at Mach S. The flowfield is generated by two sharp fins mounted at angle of attack on a flat plate in a manner closely resembling a portion of a scramjet inlet. Two symmetric configurations with fin angles of attack of 18 and 23 deg are considered. The flowfield is determined through solution of the full three-dimensional mean compressible Navier-Stokes equations using a sophisticated k-epsilon closure model. The computations are validated by comparison with available experimental data. The close similarity between the simulated and experimental surface oil flow patterns-particularly in the strong 23 x 23 case in which new topological patterns appear-indicate that the computations are successful in obtaining the mean flowfield. These additional features include not only new critical points but also phenomena associated with secondary separation. Ramifications of the new surface features on the off-surface flow are examined in great detail by probing the computed flowfield. Previous models of the flowfield evolution with interaction strength are updated to include these new features.